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Does Technology Make Treatment For Mesothelioma Better Or Worse?
Types of Treatment For Mesothelioma

People with pleural melanomas may undergo surgery to control symptoms and possibly live longer. They may also receive chemotherapy and radiation.

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

Pleurectomy/decortication


Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery is the most common type of treatment for pleural mesothelioma. This procedure is performed by doctors who remove the outer layer of the pleura. The Pleura, a thin membrane that covers the chest cavity as well as the lungs, is used during this procedure. The pleura produces and absorbs fluid on a daily basis which allows the lung to glide inside the chest (thorax). Pleural mesothelioma cancers grow within the lining of this organ, causing pain and discomfort. P/D surgery helps reduce symptoms and eliminates tumors, extending survival time.

During the P/D procedure, doctors may also remove any visible cancerous areas in the pleura or around structures. This includes the diaphragm, as well as lymph nodes. Doctors may also perform an even more extensive pleurectomy which eliminates the entire pleura and any parts of the lung affected by tumors.

This procedure is less invasive than an extrapleural pneumonectomy. The procedure can be carried out with a smaller incision, which means there are fewer adverse effects for patients.

Early stage pleural cancer patients are treated with P/D. This includes stage 1 and stage 2. In later stages, it is possible that the tumors have spread to the lungs. Some doctors believe that EPP is more effective in these cases, but recent studies have proven that P/D improves quality of life for patients with mesothelioma biphasic.

After a P/D operation patients can anticipate several weeks of recuperation at home. This is a shorter recovery time than for EPP surgery. Experts suggest that patients utilize rehabilitation aids, such as supplements and also practice exercises for coughing or breathing to prevent complications such as pneumonia.

Mesothelioma patients may have to be fitted with a chest tube either during or following the procedure to remove any accumulation of fluid in the lungs. During this time, patients may also be afflicted with fatigue and blood loss. Doctors will monitor these symptoms to ensure they do not cause more issues.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy employs cancer-fighting drugs to kill mesothelioma cells and reduce tumor size. Mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs for cancer are usually used in conjunction with other types of treatment. This includes surgery and radiation. The most popular chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are cisplatin and pemetrexed. This combination increases the chance of survival for people with malignant mesothelioma when compared to either drug.

As a first-line treatment for mesothelioma, doxorubicin and mitomycin C can also be utilized. Research on this combination, however, is not extensive. Patients with mesothelioma must discuss the best drugs for them with their physician.

Doctors may prescribe mesothelioma chemotherapy by injecting it into a vein (intravenously) or as drips into a tube (infusion). The type of treatment you get will depend on the stage of your mesothelioma as well as other factors.

The number of cycles of mesothelioma chemotherapy you have will be contingent on your specific situation. Mesothelioma patients are able to benefit the most from a shorter period of treatment. Doctors may only recommend three or six cycles of chemotherapy.

The majority of chemotherapy drugs are administered in hospitals. A nurse or doctor will insert a thin catheter in one of your veins. A catheter will stay in your body until you have done with chemotherapy. This catheter will be utilized by a nurse to draw blood, administer drugs and assist you with bathing or eat.

While you are undergoing treatment, you'll need to watch out for signs of infection, especially around the site of the catheter. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause the number of red blood cells to drop low which is a condition known as anemia. Iron-rich foods, such as liver or dark green vegetables can prevent this. If you develop severe anemia, your doctor may recommend a blood transfusion.

It is possible to use chemotherapy prior to or after surgery to treat mesothelioma. This is known as neoadjuvant treatment. it reduces the size of the mesothelioma tumor and reduces the chance that the cancer will recur after surgery.

Some patients with peritoneal cancer can receive chemotherapy directly into their abdomen during surgery via the procedure known as HIPEC. It is a highly concentrated form of chemotherapy that works to quickly reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning after surgery. This treatment is usually offered as part of a trial.

Radiation

Mesothelioma patients who require treatment for palliative needs can be treated with radiation to reduce swelling and pain by shrinking tumors. Doctors usually recommend radiation following surgery to prevent any lingering cancer cells from returning (adjuvant therapy). Some doctors apply it prior to surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor (neoadjuvant therapy).

Radiation is used to eliminate mesothelioma-related cancerous cells, but it's largely noninvasive. Radiation is a popular treatment that's used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy for patients with pleural cancer.

Many patients with mesothelioma can manage the side effects of radiation with medication or lifestyle modifications. Some side effects are long-term however, and could affect a patient's quality of life. For instance, the skin in areas where radiation is administered may change in texture or color after treatment. It could also cause lung issues like breathing difficulties and difficulty swallowing. Before beginning treatment patients should discuss any possible side consequences with a mesothelioma doctor.

There are many different kinds of mesothelioma radiation, and which one is best for you will depend on the location of the cancer. mesothelioma natural treatment of radiation are more damaging than others. External beam radiation therapy is a technique that makes use of a device outside the body to provide the radiation. Brachytherapy is a second method that gives radiation directly to the site of tumor.

There are clinical studies that combine mesothelioma radiation therapy with other treatments to improve the prognosis of patients. For instance certain studies have proven that combining chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery can improve the chance of survival and outcomes over surgery on its own.

It is crucial that patients research the best treatment options because mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to cure. It is essential to consult with a mesothelioma expert and be open to discussing all treatment options including clinical trials. These are often the only means patients can find a better mesothelioma treatment plan. For more information about finding mesothelioma specialists visit this link. The ADA's free Doctor Checklist can assist patients in preparing for their appointments with their doctors and make sure they ask the right questions.

Tumor Treating Fields

Tumor treating fields, also known as TTFields, are a noninvasive treatment for tumors that are solid. Electric fields are utilized to disrupt cell division, a crucial step in the growth and spread of cancerous cells. When combined with chemotherapy, TTFields help slow the growth of mesothelioma and stop it from spreading.

Mesothelioma forms in the thin lining that surrounds your lungs, referred to as the pleura. The lining is comprised of two mesothelial cells in two layers, the parietal and visceral pleura. When asbestos fibers cause irritation to the cells, they can mutate or duplicate at an unusually rapid rate. This could lead to an overabundance of mesothelioma cells, which subsequently spread throughout the body. By preventing mesothelioma tumor cells from multiplying, TTFields can halt the growth of the cancer and stop it from spreading to other organs.

In a clinical trial, the addition of TTFields in the treatment regimen increased survival rates by twofold. TTFields target specific proteins in the cell, including the Fanconi-BRCA pathway that is involved in DNA repairs. They also inhibit cyclin D1 proteins as well as CDK12 which are involved in controlling the cell cycle.

In the mesothelioma trials patients were treated in hospitals using a portable device that generates TTFields, which is known as the Optune Lua. It comes with an electric battery charger, a power supply, insulated pads and a device that generates TTFields. Patients can apply the device at home with the help of a mesothelioma specialist. Patients can also have their TTFields fitted at a local mesothelioma centre.

Once a patient has been accepted for TTFields they can put the device around their neck or on their chest to receive therapy. It can be worn day or at night, and doesn't hinder everyday activities. It is worn for approximately 18 hours a day and patients do not experience any side effects.

A mesothelioma specialist will inform you whether or not you're qualified for TTFields, and assess the effectiveness of this treatment for your particular situation. Several mesothelioma specialists offer this innovative treatment at leading medical centers across the nation. Contact us to get a hospital recommendation.

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