Mesothelioma Treatment

The three standard modes of treatment accepted in most cancer treatment regimens: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are also the accepted procedures in the treatment of mesothelioma. As research has advanced, other options such as experimental treatments and alternative therapies are also being incorporated into treatment programs. Most physicians suggest a multimodal approach when dealing with aggressive cancers such as mesothelioma. Multimodal means more than one treatment option will be used in conjunction with other curative and palliative methods in order to obtain the strongest possible results.
Clinical trials may also be a viable option for patients with mesothelioma, as they offer cutting edge treatments that would otherwise be unavailable to the general public. Treatments for mesothelioma are generally palliative in nature, prolonging the patient’s length and quality of life. After diagnosis, the patient’s network of doctors will formulate a course of treatment appropriate to the individual’s medical history, age, type of mesothelioma and stage of cancer.

Is There A Cure?

Although there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, those diagnosed have several options regarding their cancer. As mentioned earlier, clinical trials are often something to be considered by patients suffering from rare forms of cancer such as mesothelioma. However, clinical trials do not come without risk, patients are given the opportunity to test new medications and therapies they may not otherwise have access too. Several promising drugs and treatments have come out of clinical trials, aiding in the patient’s relief from symptoms and in some cases, prolonged life expectancy.

Multimodal Treatments

The multimodal approach popular in the treatment of mesothelioma has seen the most positive results when applied to the treatment of stage I mesothelioma. An example of this was detailed in the medical journal, Chest, which published findings concerning a 52-year old man diagnosed with stage I malignant pleural mesothelioma. The patient underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy followed by chemotherapy, and finally radiation to the chest wall. This patient is currently alive and remains in remission two years after his surgery. Multimodal therapies continue to be a positive aspect of mesothelioma treatments. The three variations of traditional treatments normally employed in a multimodal approach also require some form of physical therapy or rehabilitation due to the the impact on the body caused by treatment.

Traditional Treatments

Surgery
There are three types of surgery related to the treatment of mesothelioma: diagnostic, palliative and curative. Some surgeries associated with mesothelioma, such as a thoracotomy, can fit into more than one surgical category. It is important to note that most surgical options pertaining to mesothelioma are palliative rather than curative. Only curative surgeries have the potential to remove all cancerous cells from the patient. Common surgical procedures associated with the treatment of mesothelioma are brachytherapy, pneumonectomy, extrapleural pneumonectomy, thoracoscopy and thoracotomy. Unfortunately, due to the disease’s long latency periods, the cancer is rarely diagnosed in the early stages, often eliminating surgeries as an option for completely removing the cancerous cells. Should the patient exhibit a strong enough overall health, they may undergo surgical procedures aimed at alleviating symptoms, such as pressure resulting from fluid in the lungs, chest cavity or abdomen.
Chemotherapy
One of the most well-known cancer treatments, chemotherapy, involves the use of oral or injected drugs in an attempt to kill rapidly growing cancer cells. As it pertains to mesothelioma, chemotherapy is most likely to be injected directly into the chest cavity or abdominal region. In accordance with the stage of mesothelioma the patient is currently in, chemotherapy can be either the primary course of treatment, or used as a supplement to other forms of treatment.
There is a newer variation of chemotherapy known as Heated Intraperitioneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) that is aimed at treating those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This treatment generally follows surgery and involves chemotherapy agents to be heated between 111 and 114 degrees Fahrenheit, with the intent of eliminating metastases too small to be removed surgically.
Radiation

Radiation therapy employs X-ray imaging in an attempt to target and destroy cancerous cells. In lieu of internal exposure, radiation is “sprayed” outside the body via an external beam. This beam can be targeted directly on the malignancy, hopefully reversing the presence of cancerous cell growth.
Brachytherapy is a more specialized from of radiation intended to expose the internal abdomen or chest cavity with radiation. This particular procedure is a common alternative to surgery if the patient is not physically strong enough to undergo surgical forms of treatment.

Alternative and Experimental Treatments

Alternative therapies are a nontraditional form of therapy used to complement more standard treatments. Alternative therapies are almost always natural approaches such as vitamins, herbs, peptides, amino acids and other non toxic substances. Alternative therapies can also take the form of activities such as Reiki, yoga or massage. Studies indicate that patients are likely to supplement their traditional treatments in order to reduce stress and relieve symptoms associated with their illness.
Experimental treatments are those that are either still being administered in clinical trials or are not yet used widely enough to be considered mainstream. Examples of experimental therapies include: photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, hormonal therapy, ozone therapy and immunotherapy. These forms of therapy all utilize various agents and theories with the common goal of supplementing traditional treatments in the hopes of decreasing or stopping cancer cell growth altogether.
As with any mode of cancer treatment, a patient’s eligibility to undergo most alternative and experimental treatments will be dependent upon the patient’s overall health, age, cancer stage and various other factors.

Mesothelioma Resources

Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an overwhelming and uncertain time for patients and their loved ones. Throughout the diagnostic, prognostic and treatment processes patients will likely encounter various concerns and questions. This website is dedicated to providing resources and support for patients and their families. Those who have been affected by mesothelioma are encouraged to receive a free mesothelioma information packet, delivered free of charge within 24 hours. For further information please call 1-855-584-0411.
References:
Mayo Clinic
National Cancer Institute
Chest Journal
Investigational New Drugs
American Cancer Society
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine