Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy has been used for decades to treat cancers of all types and help patients to be more comfortable. Radiation therapy will not eradicate Mesothelioma but is useful in managing symptoms and preventing the spreading of Mesothelioma to other areas of the body.
Radiation therapy works by damaging DNA cells in Mesothelioma tumors, preventing them from replicating and spreading. Radiation is useful through all four stages of malignant Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Radiation treatment is used at any cancer stage. Patients can receive radiation therapy for Mesothelioma before, during, or after surgery to help shrink and prevent recurrence of cancerous tumors.
Radiation therapy has fewer side effects than chemotherapy treatment for Malignant Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Radiation can be used as a palliative treatment to relieve symptoms of Mesothelioma.
2 Types of Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma
External Beam Radiation
This oldest form of radiation therapy [external] is an external beam of radiation that targets specific locations to stop or slow the growth of malignant tumors and cancer cells.
Brachytherapy Therapy
Brachytherapy [internal] delivers high doses of radiation directly to the tumor inside the patient's body.
Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Dry Mouth
Fatigue
Oral Cavity Inflammation
Skin Blistering
Skin Darkening
Skin Irritations
Skin Peeling
Skin Rashes
Skin Redness
Skin Swelling
Sore Throat
Tight Feeling On Skin
Survival rates for patients who received radiation therapy is 2-5 years for pleural Mesothelioma patients. [2016 study from researchers at New York’s Icahn School of Medicine]