Like any cancer, the treatment of mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the progression of the disease, age as well as the health status of the patient.
Like any cancer, the treatment of mesothelioma depends on
the location of the cancer, the progression of the disease, age as well as the
health status of the patient.
It is the oncologist who is an expert in the disease who
will decide the course of treatment. The disease is difficult to treat and the
prognosis is poor in most cases. Treatment options include:
1. If diagnosed at an early stage, surgery may be
recommended to remove all cancerous tissue. This means thoracoscopy, VATS or
video assisted thoracic surgery, mediastinoscopy (used for staging), or
laparoscopy. Often, doctors will recommend palliative procedures such as chest
tube drainage and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitoneal
shunt, or pleurectomy, which treat the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than the
disease.
2. Radiation for mesothelioma patients is prescribed
aggressively and is often given palliatively, in combination with surgery or to
control symptoms. Research is in progress on using radiation therapy using
implants or UV light therapy because conventional radiation therapy damages
surrounding healthy tissue.
3. Chemotherapy is an option and about 12-20% of patients
respond to the drugs. Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells and stop their
spread. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not considered curative. Its purpose
is to prevent the spread of disease; shrinking the tumor before surgery, known
as neoadjuvant therapy; To destroy any remnants of tumor in the body after
surgery; and palliative chemotherapy, for relief of pain and other discomfort.
Experts recommend prescribing premetrexed with cisplastin. These medications
have shown positive results and are now standard care for mesothelioma that
cannot be treated by surgery.
4. Biological therapy using interleukin 2.
5. Immunotherapy where the body's own immune system is
stimulated to fight the disease. The treatment uses biological response
modifiers, BRM. These enhance the functions of the immune system; Regulate
metabolic reactions that promote cancer growth; alter cancer cell division;
Blocking or reversing the processes that cause cancer formation; And prevent
cancer from spreading.
6. Gene therapy, where attempts are made to correct the
gene sequence that causes cancer. It is of two types, replacement gene therapy
and knockout gene therapy.
7. Administration of cholesterol-lowering drug
lovastatin.
8. Photodynamic treatment where a photosensitive
medication is initiated utilizing a laser. It is done during surgical removal
of cancerous tissues.
9. Draining fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity and then
inserting medications into the cavity to prevent fluid accumulation is done for
patients who have uncontrolled fluid accumulation and cause intense discomfort.
10. Combination therapy or trimodal therapy which means
surgery along with radiation and chemotherapy.
Often, complementary medicines are also used. This type
of treatment is called holistic which focuses on the physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual well-being of the patient.
In case of mesothelioma, which is not curable, one can
opt for clinical trials of new treatments which are in progress in many
research laboratories and centers. The best advice regarding treatment would be
that suggested by an oncologist or physician.
FAQs
Can mesothelioma be cured if caught early?
Surgeons work to remove mesothelioma when it is diagnosed
in the early stages. In some cases this can cure cancer. Most of the time, it
is not possible to remove the entire cancer. For this situation, medical
procedure can assist with diminishing the signs and side effects brought about
by mesothelioma spreading in your body.
What is the medicine for mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma.
For patients who have not yet received treatment, the
recommended treatment is a combination of pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin
(Platinol) or carboplatin (Paraplatin). These medicines are given once every 3
weeks. Every multi week time frame is known as a cycle.
How long does it take for mesothelioma to develop?
Mesothelioma can take 20 to 60 years or more to develop
after exposure to asbestos. The vast majority presented to asbestos never
foster mesothelioma. This demonstrates that different variables might be
engaged with deciding if somebody has mesothelioma.
Has anyone ever been cured of mesothelioma?
There is no cure for mesothelioma, but some treatments
offer patients a chance for relief. Long-term mesothelioma survivors have
remained cancer free for years with no evidence of cancer. But they still
undergo regular scans to check for recurring tumors. Surgery-based combination
therapy is common in survivors.
How long are the last stages of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma near death are different for each patient. These final stages may last for months, weeks, or days. As death approaches, signs and symptoms may change or progress further.
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