Mesothelioma Treatment Options
The treatment for mesothelioma is based on a number of factors. Your cancer treatment team will discuss with you the most effective treatment options.
Mesothelioma targeted therapies limit cancer cell growth and deprive them of oxygen. They can be employed in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs.
Doctors are cautious about performing the cytoreductive surgery for patients with epithelioid histology. The procedure does improve survival.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a popular treatment for mesothelioma, and can increase the chance of survival. It utilizes anti-cancer medications to kill mesothelioma and stop the growth. In general, doctors administer chemotherapy via injections. They may also administer it intravenously (through the vein). Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma will be most often treated with pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin. It is typically given every 3 weeks for an entire series of treatments known as cycles. Patients who undergo chemotherapy will suffer from side effects that may vary in intensity. They can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. The majority, if not all of these side effects will disappear after the treatment has ended.
For mesothelioma of the peritoneal region chemotherapy is typically delivered directly into the abdomen through an operation known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy or HIPEC. This is usually done in conjunction with surgery.
It is important to speak with a doctor about all the treatment options available for mesothelioma. This can help people better be aware of the risks, benefits and possible negative consequences of each treatment. A reputable mesothelioma doctor will have extensive experience treating mesothelioma patients and has a track of successful treatment. They will also be in a position to answer any questions that patients and their families may have.
Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it is vital to locate the best mesothelioma specialist. This will ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
If you are unsure about the treatment options your mesothelioma doctor suggests, it might be worthwhile to get an additional opinion. This will help you be more confident about the program your doctor has laid out.
Many patients with mesothelioma are qualified for clinical trials that test new treatments. They can be an excellent option for those who have exhausted all other treatment options. If you're interested in participating in a mesothelioma trial, contact your doctor to determine whether you're eligible. For more information on mesothelioma clinical trials visit our Clinical Trials page.
Radiation Therapy
The spread of mesothelioma makes it difficult to eradicate through surgery or other therapies. There are a few palliative treatments that can alleviate symptoms like pain. Some of these procedures require minimal invasiveness. Doctors can flush excess fluid from the affected area. This can ease pressure on the stomach or lungs organs and lessen pain.
Another treatment option is chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth. Systemic chemotherapy works by traveling throughout the body to kill cancerous cells. Doctors can use systemic chemotherapy prior to mesothelioma surgeries (neoadjuvant therapy) to make them less difficult, or after surgery to decrease the risk of repeat incidence.
The use of radiation therapy is to treat pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal cancer. In addition to eliminating cancerous cells, radiation helps in the management of symptoms like chest pain or breathing problems. For patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma radiation is administered following the procedure known as cytoreduction that involves chemotherapy that is heated.
In a cytoreduction procedure, surgeons remove the abdomen tumors and then wash it with a steamed chemotherapy known as HIPEC. The radiation can be applied to the area by doctors and can help relieve symptoms and improves the chances of survival.
Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stages 1 or 2 are candidates for removal surgically of a small portion of the pleura. Surgeons typically take out as much of the tumor as is possible as well as any surrounding tissues, including the diaphragm and pericardium. Some hospitals offer a heated intraoperative chemotherapy to remove any remaining tumors after surgery.
A combination of treatments is usually the best approach for mesothelioma patients. Most doctors prefer multimodal treatment options that includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation along with immunotherapy. A lot of these treatments are experimental and aren't yet approved by the FDA. Discuss with your physician how these therapies can benefit you. Ensure you are aware of any potential side effects, such as fatigue, risk of infection and nausea.
Surgery
Doctors have a variety of options for pleural mesothelioma surgery to eliminate cancerous tissues or to improve symptoms. Mesothelioma typically begins in the linings of the chest cavity and abdomen (peritoneum) however, it can also be found in lung tissue.
Before surgery, your doctor will conduct a test to determine the stage of your mesothelioma. This will help them select the right treatment. Physical examinations, chest X-rays, and CT scans are the most commonly used tests. Other tests may include blood tests or a biopsy to check the health of your organs.
The procedure involves inserting a needle in the abdomen or chest area to collect tissue or fluid samples. The cells are then examined under microscopes to determine if they are mesothelioma. MRI can also be used by doctors to get images of mesothelioma cells that are not surgery.
After the biopsy, specialists in mesothelioma are able to discuss the results of the biopsy with you. They might suggest a multimodal therapy plan. This is the most effective way to improve the quality of life and prolong survival.
In a multimodal strategy of treatment, doctors combine different kinds of treatments, such as chemotherapy with surgery or radiotherapy. They will create a customized treatment plan that meets both your needs and objectives. The doctor will provide you with information regarding the treatment as well as any possible adverse effects.
Chemotherapy is a method of killing cancerous cells and stop them from dividing or growing. It is the most popular form of systemic treatment for mesothelioma and is usually used in combination with other treatments. Patients suffering from mesothelioma must be aware of the side effects that chemotherapy drugs could cause, from nausea and hair loss to fatigue and vomiting. Keep your doctor informed of any new prescription medication you're taking, as well as any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you take.
When deciding on a plan of treatment, it's essential to consult with your doctor about your goals. Many people find that their mesothelioma treatment prolongs their lives much longer than the initial prognosis. For instance, pleural mesothelioma survivors have survived for decades following receiving EPP which is a radical procedure that eliminates the affected lung. Others have lived for more than 10 years after receiving cytoreduction and HIPEC. This procedure removes as much cancerous tissues as possible.
Symptom Management
The treatment that is most commonly used for mesothelioma consists of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. The choice of treatment depends on a variety of factors that include the stage (extent) of the cancer, whether or not it is resectable and the person's general health and preferences. Certain patients with mesothelioma might opt to take part in clinical trials to test new treatments or dosages of existing ones.
Many people with pleural asbestosis complain of chest pain, coughing and breathing problems. They also experience other symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, and fatigue. These symptoms result from the accumulation of fluid within the pleura. This can press against the chest and limit airflow. The symptoms can be cured with medication.
radiation treatment in mesothelioma will assess the patient who is suspected to have mesothelioma and request imaging tests, like X-rays or CT scans. They can also perform urine and blood tests to determine whether the patient has certain proteins related to mesothelioma. They can also have the procedure known as thoracentesis, or paracentesis to remove the sample of fluid from the lung. In certain instances, they drain the fluid using the procedure called pleurodesis, or decortication.
A doctor might order additional tests to determine the severity of the disease. They will assign the mesothelioma a stage based on the results of these tests. A lower number means that the mesothelioma is localized to the lungs' surrounding area, while a higher numeral means it has spread further.
Many people suffering from mesothelioma may improve their quality of life through lifestyle changes. Patients can adopt lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. They can also try nonpharmacological approaches like massage and physical therapy to manage their symptoms. Some patients with mesothelioma have found acupuncture to be helpful in managing their pain. Support networks can help patients with their treatment and recovery. They can help a patient with transportation, meal preparation and other tasks. They can also offer emotional support.