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Why We Do We Love Treatment For Mesothelioma (And You Should Also!)
Types of Treatment For Mesothelioma

Certain people with pleural melanoma may have an operation to treat symptoms and live longer. They could also receive chemotherapy and radiation.

Pleural mesothelioma surgery can include pleurectomy decortication (P/D), a lung-sparing operation, or radical extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Some cancer centers provide HIPEC and heated intraoperative chemotherapy.

Pleurectomy/decortication

Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery is the most common type of treatment for pleural mesothelioma. The procedure is carried out by doctors who remove the outer layer of the pleura. The Pleura is a thin lining that protects the chest cavity and lung. The pleura produces and absorbs fluid every day, allowing the lung to move within the chest (thorax). Pleural mesothelioma cancers develop within the lining, which can cause painful symptoms. P/D surgery can reduce symptoms and removes tumors, which can prolong the time to live.

During the P/D, doctors can also remove cancerous areas of the pleura and in the structures surrounding it. This includes the diaphragm, as well as lymph nodes. Doctors can also do pleurectomy, which removes the entire lung and pleura.

This type of surgery is less invasive than extrapleural pneumonia (EPP). Doctors can make an incision that is smaller during the procedure, which means patients experience fewer side effects.

P/D is the most effective treatment for patients with pleural mesothelioma who are in the beginning stages of the disease. This includes stage 1 and stage 2. In mesothelioma natural treatment , it is possible that the tumors have spread to the lungs. Some doctors believe that EPP is more effective in these cases However, recent studies have shown that P/D improves the quality of life for patients suffering from biphasic mesothelioma.

Following a P/D procedure patients can expect to recuperate at home for a few weeks. This is considerably shorter than the time required to recover from EPP surgery. Experts recommend that patients use rehabilitation aids, such as complementary treatments and practice breathing or coughing exercises to avoid complications such as pneumonia.

Mesothelioma patients may have to have a chest tube inserted during or after the procedure to remove any excess fluid from the lungs. During this time, patients can also expect to experience some blood loss and fatigue. Doctors will observe these symptoms to ensure they don't cause any further problems.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer-fighting drug which uses cancer-fighting agents in order to kill mesothelioma and reduce tumor size. Mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs for cancer are typically used in conjunction with other types of treatment. These include surgery, radiation and immunotherapy. Pemetrexed (and Cisplatin) are the most commonly used chemotherapy treatments for mesothelioma. This combination has significantly improved survival rates for patients with malignant pleural mysothelioma when compared to either drug by itself.

As a first-line treatment to treat mesothelioma, doxorubicin in combination with mitomycin C can be used. However, research on this combination is limited. Patients with mesothelioma must discuss the best drugs for them with their doctor.

Doctors may prescribe mesothelioma chemotherapy either by injecting it into a vein (intravenously) or as drips into tubes (infusion). The type of medication you receive is determined by the stage of mesothelioma in which you are, and other health factors.

The number of cycles of mesothelioma chemotherapy you have will be contingent on the specific circumstances of your case. Patients with mesothelioma may benefit the most from a shorter duration of treatment. Because of this, doctors might only recommend three to six cycles of chemotherapy.

The majority of chemotherapy medications are given in the hospital. A nurse or doctor will insert a thin catheter into one of your veins. The catheter will remain in your body until the chemo is finished. The catheter is used by nurses to draw blood, administer drugs and help you bathe or take a meal.

During your treatment, you'll have to watch out for signs of infection especially around the site of your catheter. Anemia is a condition which can be caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. To avoid this, you will need to consume iron-rich foods, such as liver and dark green vegetables. If you have severe anemia, a blood transfusion may be recommended by your physician.

It is possible to use chemotherapy prior to or after surgery to treat mesothelioma. This is called neoadjuvant therapy and helps to reduce the size of the mesothelioma cancer and reduce the likelihood that the cancer will return following surgery.

HIPEC is an operation that allows certain patients with peritoneal cancer to receive chemotherapy directly into their abdomens during surgery. This form of chemotherapy is extremely concentrated and can be used to decrease the chance that mesothelioma will return after surgery. This procedure is often used as part of a trial.

Radiation

Mesothelioma patients in need of treatment for palliative needs can be treated with radiation to reduce pain and swelling by shrinking tumors. Radiation is usually recommended after surgery to prevent cancer cells from returning. Some doctors also recommend it prior to surgery to reduce the size of tumors (neoadjuvant treatment).

Radiation is used to destroy mesothelioma cancerous cells however, it's generally non-invasive. It's a standard treatment in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery to treat pleural mesothelioma patients.

For many mesothelioma patients radiation-related side effects can be controlled with medications or lifestyle modifications. Certain side effects can last for a long time however, and may affect the quality of life. For instance, the skin of areas that are receiving radiation could change in texture or color following treatment. It could also cause problems with the lungs, like shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing. Patients should discuss all possible adverse consequences with their mesothelioma physician before beginning treatment.

There are a variety of radiation for mesothelioma, and the type of radiation recommended depends on the location of the tumor. Some types of radiation can be more invasive than other types. External beam radiation therapy is a technique which makes use of a machine that is outside the body to deliver radiation. Other forms of mesothelioma cancer radiation is directly delivered to the site of the tumor, a process called brachytherapy.

There are clinical studies that combine mesothelioma radiation therapy with other treatments in order to improve patient prognosis. For instance certain studies have proven that combining radiation with chemotherapy prior to surgery can improve survival and outcomes when compared to surgery alone.


Because mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to treat it is essential for patients to find the best possible treatment options. This means working with a knowledgeable mesothelioma specialist and being open to discussing all treatment options, including clinical trials. This is the only way patients can discover an effective treatment plan for mesothelioma. For more information about finding mesothelioma specialists, click here. The ADA's free Doctor Checklist can assist patients in preparing for their appointments with their doctors and ensure they ask the appropriate questions.

Tumor Treating Fields

TTFields are a noninvasive way to treat solid tumors. They make use of electrical fields to stop cell division, a crucial step in the growth of cancer cells. TTFields, when utilized together with chemotherapy, help limit the growth of mesothelioma and also stop its spread.

Mesothelioma forms in the thin lining of your lungs, called the pleura. This lining has two mesothelial cell layers including the visceral and parietal pleura. When asbestos fibers are irritate these cells, they could mutate and duplicate at a rapid rate. This can lead to an overabundance mesothelioma cancer cells that are spread throughout the body. By stopping mesothelioma cells from dividing, TTFields may stop the growth of the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other organs.

In a clinical trial, adding TTFields to a chemotherapy regimen increased survival rates by twofold. TTFields target specific proteins within the cell, for example the Fanconi-BRCA pathway, which is involved in DNA repair. They also inhibit cyclin D1 proteins as well as CDK12, which are involved in regulating the cycle of cells.

In the mesothelioma trials, patients were treated in hospitals using the aid of a portable device that produces TTFields, which is known as the Optune Lua. The device includes an energy source, battery charger, insulated pads and a device that creates TTFields. Patients can apply the device at home with the assistance of a mesothelioma specialist, or have their TTFields placed at their local mesothelioma clinic.

After a patient has been approved for TTFields, they can wear the device around their neck or on their chests to receive therapy. It can be worn day or at night, and doesn't interfere with everyday activities. Patients don't suffer any adverse effects when wearing the device for 18 hours per day.

A specialist mesothelioma physician can explain your eligibility for TTFields and determine its efficacy for your specific case. This revolutionary treatment is provided by a variety of mesothelioma specialists in top medical centers across the nation. Contact our mesothelioma support group for a recommendation of an excellent hospital that provides this treatment.

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