Mesothelioma Treatment
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, you know that this is a terrible form of cancer. As you have probably heard from your doctor, mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and it is difficult to treat. The statistics about the average survival rates for mesothelioma patients can be discouraging. You may be feeling helpless and overwhelmed, even hopeless.
But you should not lose hope. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease and the prognosis is difficult. However, it is important to remember that each patient is unique, and the statistics do not seal your fate. With the right treatment, many people are able to live far longer than the statistics would indicate. Indeed, by definition, half of all mesothelioma patients live longer than the median life expectancy. The famous biologist Steven Jay Gould lived almost twenty years after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in July 1982.
In addition, there is more medical research being done on mesothelioma today than ever before. Scientists all over the world are working hard to improve our understanding of mesothelioma and develop new treatments. More than one hundred mesothelioma clinical trials are currently underway to test the fruits of this research.
As a result, treatment options are steadily increasing. Doctors have already made significant progress in slowing the growth of the cancer, helping people manage their symptoms, and allowing many mesothelioma patients live longer than ever before. With enough research, mesothelioma treatments will continue to improve until we find a way to cure this terrible disease.
Choosing the Proper Treatment
Because each patient is different, there is no one right path when it comes to mesothelioma treatment. What works for one patient may not work for another. Most of the therapies that are available can also have serious side effects, and the choice of treatments can be difficult and bewildering.
The recommended treatment in each case will vary based on the size and location of the tumor, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In many cases, your doctor may recommend a combination of two or more of these treatments, known as a multi-modality approach.
Before you decide on a treatment plan, it is important to discuss each treatment option with your medical team to make sure you understand all the risks and benefits involved. You may even want to bring a list of questions to ask your doctor.
You should also be aware that because mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer, many doctors have limited experience with treating mesothelioma patients. If possible, you may want to seek out a specialist who has treated a large number of mesothelioma patients and is up-to-date on all the latest research.
Ultimately, however, the most important thing is to find a good, experienced oncologist and medical team who you trust and feel comfortable with. Your own treating physicians will be your best source of medical information. You want to find a doctor who will listen to your concerns and answer all of your questions patiently and respectfully.
Surgery
There are a variety of surgical treatments for mesothelioma. In some cases, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove part of the pleura or peritoneal lining and some of the tissue around it. This procedure is called a pleurectomy or decortication. If the lung is also diseased, the surgeon doctor may perform an extrapleural pneumonectomy to remove the entire lung.
A less extreme surgical procedure is thoracentesis, which is a procedure to drain fluid from the area around the lungs. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. This can make the patient more comfortable and temporarily relieve symptoms of the disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. Thoracentesis may also be combined with pleurodesis. Pleurodesis is a procedure which administers drugs or chemicals through a tube in the chest. This causes the layers of the pleura to stick together and prevents fluid from accumulating there.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses penetrating beams of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. This radiation may come from an external machine, or may be internally administered. Radiation is often used as a palliative treatment to control the symptoms of mesothelioma. For some mesothelioma patients, radiation therapy can also be a good way to relieve pain and alleviate shortness of breath. It may also be used more aggressively as part of a multimodality approach in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. However, while these drugs can be effective in destroying the cancer cells, they are highly toxic to healthy cells as well. The side effects of chemotherapy can be extremely unpleasant. They may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, fever, and rash.
Traditional chemotherapy using only a single anti-cancer drug has generally led to disappointing results, but doctors have had better results using a combination of two or more druges. Currently, the only combination approved by the FDA to treat mesothelioma is Alimta (also known as Pemetrexed) together with Cisplatin.
Alternative Remedies
Some patients may also wish to seek out alternative and complementary remedies such as massage, meditation, yoga, or nutritional supplements. Some of these remedies can provide significant comfort from the symptoms of mesothelioma. They may also help improve your overall health and well-being, promote relaxation, and alleviate pain. However, there is no scientific evidence that these treatments can cure cancer, or even slow its growth.
If you choose to explore complementary or alternative therapies, make sure that you discuss this decision with your oncologist and medical team. Some alternative therapies can have dangerous side effects, especially if you are taking any anti-cancer drugs.
Clinical Trials
We also urge you to investigate clinical trials where doctors are testing new or experimental treatments for mesothelioma. These trials can give you access to some of the most up-to-date drugs, surgical procedures, and other treatments. If you qualify, a clinical trial may be the best treatment option available.
Although these trials may involve some risk, and may not be suitable for everyone, they usually offer a superior standard of care for the patients involved. They also play a very important role in developing new and more effective ways to treat mesothelioma and other cancers. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, you can take a look at our clinical trials page for a list of active trials. You should also discuss mesothelioma clinical trials with your medical team.
Sources Pass, H., Vogelzang, N., Carbone, M., ed., Malignant Mesothelioma: Advances in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Transitional Therapies. Springer: New York. 2005. National Cancer Institute. Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/page4 American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Malignant Mesothelioma. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_How_is_malignant_mesothelioma_treated_29.asp?rnav=cri