Mesothelioma Treatment: Finding the Options

Mesothelioma treatment is not impossible. In fact, the sooner treatment is sought, the higher are the patient’s chances of extending his life. Like other forms of cancer though, an expert doctor’s opinion is crucial. The effectiveness of a treatment option will depend on the type of mesothelioma, age of the patient, stage of the cancer and health of the patient. Here are the most common treatment options for mesothelioma.

Surgery

Like other cancers, mesothelioma may be treated with surgery. If the cancer is detected early, there is some hope of preventing metastasis. In a surgical procedure, the main tumor detected is removed. In some cases of pleural mesothelioma, the lung and pleura or lung lining may have to be removed too.

Among a number of patients, the condition may only be detected at a later time. This is especially true for pleural mesothelioma. In this case, the disease may not be cured through tumor removal. Surgery however may still be an option to reduce the pain felt due to the disease. Procedures such as thoracentesis and pleurodesis may be used to reduce fluid build-up. The pleura may also have to be removed.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is another option for mesothelioma treatment. This involves the administration of drugs into the body. This is often used when surgery is not possible. In some cases, it may be used before surgery. It is not however considered a treatment that can cure the condition. In most cases, chemotherapy is intended to limit the pain that a patient may feel because of the disease. Depending on the drugs used, chemotherapy is expected to stop cancer cells from spreading and to reduce the size of tumors. As most people know though, chemotherapy can result in a couple of side effects.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is another option. Like chemotherapy, this form of therapy can only serve to ease the symptoms but not cure them. Radiation may be directed on the affected part or it may be directly administered into the body. Patients may experience relief but the cancer cells may go on multiplying.

Pleural mesothelioma in particular is usually discovered late. This is why even with treatment doctors may not be able to give very good prognosis. Patients may expect to live for a year or less. Those with peritoneal mesothelioma may expect better prognoses. There have also been known cases when patients have been found to live for five years or more.