3 Primary Mesothelioma Treatments
The primary treatment options for malignant Mesothelioma are Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Surgery.
Mesothelioma and Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy treatment can to slow tumor growth and help relieve pain symptoms for Mesothelioma patients. More than 70% of cancer patients will opt to undergo some chemotherapy to treat their cancer.
Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly growing and spreading cancerous tumors and cells shrinking or killing them.
Chemotherapy won't cure malignant Mesothelioma but can alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life and prolong a patient's survival time.
Chemotherapy is the preferred treatment option for pleural and peritoneal Mesothelioma diagnosed patients.
Mesothelioma and Radiation
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 common through all four stages of malignant Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Radiation treatment is useful 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.
Mesothelioma and Surgery
Surgery is used to treat, diagnose and control malignant Mesothelioma. Survival is significantly higher for Mesothelioma patients that qualify for surgery along with heated chemotherapy. Nearly 50% of Mesothelioma patients live longer than five years after surgery.
Minor surgery is used to diagnose Mesothelioma and control pain and symptoms.
Major surgery is used to cancerous tumors and improve long-term prognosis.
A Mesothelioma doctor will recommend which surgery is best for each unique case.
Studies support that surgery is the best first-line treatment option for patients diagnosed with Mesothelioma.
Surgery is currently the most promising treatment option for peritoneal Mesothelioma in the abdomen for early-stage cancer.
Mesothelioma Surgery Types
Diagnostic Surgery: Minor surgery (biopsy) to extract a sample of cancer tumor cells for examination.
Tumor Removal Surgery: Major surgery performed to remove tumors and can potentially extend the life expectancy of a patient.
Palliative Surgery: a Less invasive alternative to tumor-removing surgery and helps with pain and other cancer symptoms.