Lombardi Cancer Clinic, Washington, D.C.
My husband - age 77 - is being treated with Gemzar (gemcitabine HCL) and Taxotere (docetaxel) for stage 2 Pleural Mesothelioma at the Lombardi Cancer Clinic (in Washington, D.C.). He was diagnosed just before Thanksgiving. I am trying to learn more about this disease.
My husband spent 30 years in the Navy and retired as a captain in l973. He served on 12 ships and thinks probably this is the way he was exposed to asbestos. He never worked in a shipyard.
He was diagnosed at Bethesda Naval Hospital in November 1997 where they did a talc pleurodesis. They opposed surgery because of his age and the degree of invasion as well as radiation, and they were lukewarm about chemotherapy, i.e. Adriamycin - except perhaps for symptomatic care. They were grave and straightforward and I thought sensible - from what I have since read.
The Lombardi Cancer Clinic is part of Georgetown University Hospital and has a decent reputation. It is in Washington, DC. The young doctor there offered more "hope" - we'll try this, that, and the other. The Gemzar/taxotere mix is (according to the Doctor) "state of the art", but we have absolutely no specifics. I just know that Gemzar is an anti-cancer agent.
Your Web overview of Mesothelioma is extremely helpful as is the overview of Dr. Cameron. I guess my interest in the disease at the moment is mainly academic because we don't intend to go beyond Lombardi (where they are shooting in the dark) and Bethesda where perhaps we should have stayed.
Thank you for your attention!
RSC, Bethesda, Md.
** POSTED FEBRUARY 13, 1998 **