Mesothelioma Treatment
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma may be present, they'll conduct a physical examination and order imaging scans. This includes abdominal and chest X-rays as well as CT (computerized Tomography) scans.
A biopsy is the only way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy is when doctors take out the tissue or fluid to perform laboratory testing.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the most common treatment option for people diagnosed with mesothelioma. It involves drugs which kill cancer cells or prevent their growth. This can improve the quality of life for patients and extend life time. It is a crucial component of multimodal therapy, which a lot of patients receive.
Doctors treating mesothelioma often combine chemotherapy with other treatments, such as surgery or radiotherapy. The kinds of drugs used in chemo will vary depending on the stage of a patient and type of mesothelioma. Doctors may use chemotherapy that shrinks tumors prior to surgery, or adjuvant chemotherapy to eliminate any microscopic mesothelioma that remains after surgery.
Other medicines may be prescribed to patients with mesothelioma in addition to chemotherapy to combat side effects, or to aid in breathing and swallowing. Bevacizumab is one of these medications. It is a targeted treatment for cancer that stops the development of new vessels that feed cancerous cells. Another medication, Cisplatin, is a chemotherapy agent that has demonstrated results in boosting survival rates in mesothelioma patients.
Radiation is a common treatment for mesothelioma. However it is typically employed as an adjunct therapy. This is because mesothelioma is difficult to remove surgically, and the amount of radiation needed to shrink the size of the tumor could result in complications.
Cryotherapy and gene therapies are two of the latest developments in mesothelioma treatments. Cryotherapy utilizes cold temperatures to target and destroy cancerous cells. It is a relatively new mesothelioma treatment and has proven effective in other conditions. It is also an option for those who are not candidates for surgery and are looking to reduce the risk of recurrence. Gene therapy is a procedure that involves inserting genes into cancerous cells to aid in fighting the cancer. Doctors have developed inhalable versions for these two therapies, which allow mesothelioma patients to receive the medication with an asthma inhaler.
A person's treatment options will also depend on their general health, where the mesothelioma is located and whether it's recurrent. A mesothelioma that is recurrent is one which returns following treatment. Clinical trials that test new treatments or combinations of existing ones could be beneficial for those suffering from recurrent mesothelioma.
Radiation Therapy
Doctors treating mesothelioma often utilize radiation therapy to shrink or eliminate tumors prior to surgical removal. Mesothelioma patients can also benefit from this treatment in combination with chemotherapy. Radiation is a procedure that uses high-energy particles or X-rays to kill mesothelioma tumor cells. It can also help prolong life expectancy. Mesothelioma specialists are trained to administer these treatments as safely as possible and minimize the negative effects.
Treatment options are determined by the stage of mesothelioma aswell as the general health of a patient. Mesothelioma specialists will look at all available treatment options to provide the best chance for a cure and to improve the quality of life.
For pleural mesothelioma, many patients undergo surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. This multimodal approach can significantly improve the chances of survival. Mesothelioma specialist surgeons can remove tumors and surrounding tissue during a thoracic mesothelioma operation such as pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
Chemotherapy can be used to kill cancerous cells after surgery, and it can extend the survival of those suffering from the melanoma of the pleural region. Doctors may use chemotherapy drugs like pemetrexed and Cisplatin to decrease the amount of mesothelioma tumor cells that are found in the body. This will also decrease symptoms.
Doctors treat peritoneal msothelioma patients with a procedure known as cytoreductive surgery using heated chemotherapy wash (HIPEC). The surgeon removes the tumors from the abdominal cavity. Then they apply a heated chemotherapy wash directly to the region. For peritoneal mesothelioma, HIPEC can prolong the survival time by more than four months.
Immunotherapy is a method to improve the immune system of a patient, so that it can fight mesothelioma more effectively. These medications can be administered by mouth or via an IV infusion. Doctors will be able to monitor the health of patients during immunotherapy and will ensure that they do not have any other health issues or medications that could trigger complications.
Researchers are looking for new ways to treat symptoms and improve the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients. Clinical trials are a way to access some of these new treatments. Participants in clinical trials can try experimental drugs under controlled conditions which may increase the chance of a mesothelioma treatment. Some of these new treatments include photodynamic therapy gene therapy, restorative p53 medications and epigenetic therapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma surgery can eliminate cancerous tissue and alleviate symptoms. It is usually used in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is essential to talk with a doctor regarding surgery, as it may not work for everyone.
You will be examined by a doctor before surgery to examine your vital signs and health. Your doctor will ask what you've been eating and drinking, and take a history of your symptoms. You will also have an X-ray of the chest as well as electrocardiogram and other tests such as blood work. This information will help your surgeon determine if you're healthy enough to undergo surgery.
An anesthesiologist will administer drugs to induce sleep or numb a part of your body, so that you do not feel anything during the procedure. The surgeon will remove any cancerous or non-cancerous tissue from your body. If the mesothelioma is in the chest wall, this may include taking out part or all of the pleura that line your lungs. This is called a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D).
Certain patients with stage IV or other advanced mesothelioma aren't able to undergo surgery. This could be due to how far the tumor has spread to surrounding tissues, the subtype of it, or if the patient isn't healthy enough to have an operation. Patients with these conditions may be treated with other therapies instead of surgery.
Clinical trials for mesothelioma testing new treatments, such as photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. These treatments differ from conventional treatments since they only affect cancer cells. A mesothelioma expert can help you decide whether to use a new treatment or traditional treatments.
Once your treatment plan has been put into place The doctor will continue to monitor you to determine whether there are any recurrences. Mesothelioma, a slow-growing form of cancer, may recur even after having been removed or treated with surgery. Recurrences could be localized, i.e. in the same region of the body. They may also spread to other areas of the body, such as the lungs and the brain.
A mesothelioma specialist can go over the options for treatment and recommend additional therapies which can help alleviate pain or other symptoms. These therapies could include palliative care, minor surgery, low doses of chemotherapy, radiation, or alternative therapies.
Palliative Care
Many patients who are undergoing treatment for mesothelioma are exhausted from their condition and the negative side effects. This is why palliative care helps to improve the quality of life for patients with mesothelioma, as well as their families.
The aim of mesothelioma palliative care is to treat pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue and other symptoms that can be triggered by the disease and its treatments. The treatment may include counseling and support groups that help the patient and family members cope with the emotional burden.
Mesothelioma can cause respiratory problems that include chest pain and difficulty breathing. As part of palliative treatment, doctors can prescribe medications to alleviate these symptoms. radiation treatment in mesothelioma can also carry out the thoracentesis procedure using a needle to drain fluid from around the lung. Pleurodesis surgery, which is a similar procedure, seals the space between the lining of the lung and the chest wall to prevent the formation of fluid buildup.
Chemotherapy is a popular mesothelioma treatment that causes a variety of side effects, including nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be controlled with medication, including anti-nausea medications and sedatives. The doctor may also suggest complementary therapies to relieve these symptoms. These include massage, acupuncture and other complementary therapies.
Some mesothelioma patients experience problems with constipation and a recurring cough. Doctors can recommend laxatives or cough suppressants to ease these adverse effects. Mesothelioma sufferers may also benefit by methods of hydration, such as drinking more fluids or using a fan to stop sweating excessively.
A pericardial mesothelioma may cause pain in the heart and chest and also shortness of breath and fatigue. As part of a palliative treatment plan, the doctor could perform pericardiocentesis. In this procedure, fluid buildup from a pericardial effusion is removed to alleviate these symptoms.
Patients can receive palliative treatment at any time during their mesothelioma treatment. However, research suggests that starting this type of treatment earlier can enhance the quality of life of a patient. The cancer center or hospital treating a patient might have information about local facilities that provide palliative care.