How is Mesothelioma Treated?
Patients with mesothelioma can experience various symptoms, based on the area where the tumors are. The symptoms usually develop slowly and can be mistaken for common illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using testing for imaging and blood tests. They also flush out any accumulation of fluid around the lungs using a procedure called thoracentesis.
Surgery
If possible, surgeons remove mesothelioma tumors to lessen symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Surgery can also assist doctors in better determine if a patient has mesothelioma, or detect smaller tumors. Mesothelioma surgeons are trained to remove affected tissue in a way that doesn't cause injury to healthy organs, tissues and nerves.
The surgical options for mesothelioma are based on the type and stage of cancer. A doctor will take into consideration the patient's health, age and other factors to determine the best method of treatment.
The surgical options for mesothelioma are pleurectomy, pleurodesis and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Each mesothelioma treatment option has its own risks and advantages. A mesothelioma specialist will give you information about the different options and suggest which surgical procedure is best for you.
A pleurectomy and decortication (P/D) mesothelioma surgery is a less extensive surgery than an extrapleural pneumonectomy, or EPP. During P/D the surgeons removes the lung's lining and any visible tumors. However, they don't remove the lung or the diaphragm muscle. This is a great mesothelioma treatment for patients who want to preserve their health and avoid complications associated with removing the diaphragm muscle or both lungs.
P/D surgery is typically coupled with hyperthermic intra-thoracic chemotherapy which involves adding the most effective cancer-fighting drugs in a solution of saltwater and delivers them directly into the chest cavity. This allows patients to receive multiple treatments faster and spend less time in hospital.
Pleural mesothelioma can cause an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, or pleural effusion. This can lead to chest pain and breathing problems. A doctor can drain this fluid with the minimally invasive procedure known as a thoracentesis. which the needle is placed into the chest to collect the fluid.
Another surgical option for mesothelioma of the pleural is a peritoneal effusion draining procedure, or a pyeloplasty. During this procedure, doctors insert a tube into the abdomen to allow the accumulation of fluid to be removed regularly. This will ease symptoms such as nausea, fever and abdominal pain. Once the fluid accumulation is reduced it is time to take out the tube.
Chemotherapy
The kind of treatment you receive is based on a number of factors, including the stage of your mesothelioma (the extent of it) and whether doctors believe your tumor can be surgically removed, and your general health. You could also be offered a clinical trial to test a new drug or treatment combination.
Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the standard treatments. Mesothelioma symptoms are typically relieved through these treatments, however they won't cure you of the disease.
Mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing. They are usually administered intravenously or via injection into the vein. Patients receive them in a series of. Each cycle is followed by a period of rest to give the body to heal. Pemetrexed and cisplatin as well as other chemo drugs are the most common ones used to treat mesothelioma.
Before surgery, chemo can be given to reduce tumors and make it less in the way of. This is referred to as neoadjuvant treatment. After surgery, it is also used to destroy microscopic cancerous cells that are not visible to the eye. This is known as adjuvant therapy.
The use of radiation therapy is often used to treat pleural mesothelioma, and it is delivered in a variety of ways. Doctors can utilize traditional photon or proton radiation. They may latest treatment for mesothelioma also employ intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to limit the damage to healthy tissues and increase the doses.
For mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, doctors can deliver the chemotherapy drug combination of pemetrexed and Cisplatin via an IV in the abdomen. They can also administer it via pump into the peritoneal cavity through an instrument known as a catheter.
Certain people may experience side effects from mesothelioma treatment. However, they are easily managed by taking medications and support services. Side effects can range from mild to severe. It is crucial to report all your symptoms to your medical team. A recent study has revealed that women suffer more side effects from mesothelioma treatment than men. Researchers aren't sure why this is. They suggest that it could be because women are more likely to seek medical attention if they suffer from an illness that is serious and to tell their doctor about the symptoms.
Radiation Therapy
Mesothelioma treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and enhancing quality of life, but they rarely treat the disease. That is why it's important to discuss your goals with your medical team prior to starting treatment. Some patients would like to do everything they can to increase their chances of a cure, while others prefer a treatment plan that makes them as comfortable as they can during their remaining time.
Surgery is typically part of any mesothelioma therapy plan. Doctors remove cancerous tissues to relieve symptoms and extend survival. There are three types of mesothelioma surgery:
Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D) removes the pleura, or lining around the lungs. The procedure also eliminates any visible tumours that are present in the chest cavity. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy eliminates the entire diaphragm and lungs.
Radiation therapy utilizes x-ray beams to kill cancerous cells of mesothelioma. The procedure is painless and noninvasive. Doctors can use a technique called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) in which the radiation beams are modified to target cancerous cells more effectively without affecting healthy tissue.
It is not proven to cure mesothelioma, however it can reduce the size of tumors prior surgery, or kill cancerous cells that were not removed during surgery. It can be used to ease discomfort and pain for patients suffering from cancer that is in late-stage.
Mesothelioma is a rapidly growing cancer, so it responds better to radiation than cells that are slower growing. Radiation damages cancerous cells' DNA and kills them in days, weeks or months. A doctor can adjust the duration of a radiation session to accommodate each patient's specific requirements.
Even with the best treatment options there are side effects that are common with most cancer therapies. Some of the most common adverse effects include weight loss, fatigue, and nausea. However, most of these are manageable and controlled with medications.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs stimulate your body's natural defenses to fight cancerous cells. They are usually given as intravenous infusions (IV), and may be combined with another treatment. Certain studies have demonstrated that immunotherapy may improve the survival rates of patients with the pleural msothelioma. This is when it is it is combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma doctors can tell whether you suffer from the disease through physical examinations and ordering imaging tests, like X-rays or CT scans. They might also do a biopsy, where they take a small amount of tissue for lab testing. The results of the biopsy and other tests will assist your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.
The majority of doctors treat mesothelioma based on its location and whether it has spread. You may want to eliminate any cancer or lessen symptoms to extend your life. Your doctor will create an individual plan for you that might include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. These treatment options are typically integrated by doctors into multimodal treatment plans.
The mesothelioma surgery procedure can remove cancerous tissue, shrink tumors, and ease symptoms. Not all mesothelioma patients are able to undergo surgery. Some patients suffering from mesothelioma of the peritoneal region or pleural tumor have scarring that prevents surgeons from accessing cancerous tissue. These patients are best treated by targeted treatment or immunotherapy.
The targeted therapy is a method of limiting cancer's growth by depriving it of oxygen, or slowing the process of cell division. Avastin, also known as bevacizumab is a form of targeted treatment that is used to treat mesothelioma. It is administered in the form of an IV infusion every few weeks.
Mesothelioma immunotherapy assists your immune system find mesothelioma cells and destroy them. It works by blocking the proteins that impede your immune system and prevent it from being able to recognize mesothelioma. Two mesothelioma immunotherapy options include nivolumab and pembrolizumab.
The majority of mesothelioma types aren't curable but treatments can help patients live longer and improve their quality of life. Talk to your mesothelioma doctor about all your treatment options and what the pros and cons of each. Your care team should be informed of your goals.