What Are the Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer that affects the lining of a person’s lung. When patients learn they have this illness, it makes sense to seek treatment immediately to prevent their condition from rapidly progressing. No form of cancer is easy to deal with. However, a mesothelioma diagnosis can come as quite a shock because there isn’t always time left on earth, so you need an effective cure right away.

In such a situation, doctors with knowledge and skills are no less than rays of hope. Medical professionals dealing with mesothelioma are well aware of what’s in store for their patients. However, it can get challenging to relay this information to them. While the road to wellness is long and tedious, it is not impossible. Here’s what treatment looks like if you contract the dreaded illness:

1. What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the thin tissues surrounding internal organs. The most common causes of mesothelioma occur in the lungs (pleural). Other rarer forms of this cancer happen in the abdomen, heart, and around the testicles.

So far, an unusual amount of asbestos exposure is known as the leading cause. But, genetics also do have a small hand in contracting this illness. When a patient comes for a checkup, the symptoms and internal evaluations following these symptoms are telltale signs of impending mesothelioma.

Unusual lumps growing on their chest, trouble breathing, and unexpected weight loss all get tested for cancer. A screening exam followed by a biopsy informs the doctor of their suspicions. With the results in hand, discussing mesothelioma treatment options becomes a priority. Once the patient is informed and consents to treatment, the process starts.

2. What Are Conventional Treatment Options For Mesothelioma?

There are no reliable ways to eradicate cancer yet. So far, the treatment that goes into mesothelioma helps alleviate symptoms and increases life expectancy. Unfortunately, there is always a chance cancer may return, so keeping regular tabs with the doctor is essential for any recovering patient. Treatment options that are available in most cases are as follows:

• Surgery. Patients who get an early diagnosis are eligible for surgery. Since the cancer is still heavily packed in one area, removing the tissue and cancer cells is relatively easy.

Surgery is still a viable option if a patient delays treatment. The only drawback is that the patient may need a longer time in the hospital, which can rack up a heavy medical bill. Following surgery, most patients may receive chemotherapy and radiation to ensure maximum clearing of cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy. If a patient is unsuitable for surgery, they may need to stick to getting chemotherapy. The process involves strapping the patient to an IV and allowing strong chemicals to flow through the system.

The chemo drugs attack cancer cells and help clear the area from growing masses. Getting chemo is long and often results in unpleasant side effects such as nausea and hair loss. However, patients who opt for chemo despite not getting surgery have a chance of a high life expectancy.

• Radiation. The process uses X-ray beams to target specific locations on the body. Following surgery, patients may get a dose of radiation to make sure all cancer cells get cleared. The process may leave a red radiation mark on the patient’s body. However, with time the superficial spot fades away.

Radiation also helps patients in alleviating symptoms of chest pain and discomfort. Depending on the patient’s condition, they may need multiple sessions before positive results emerge.

3. What Clinical Treatments Are Available For Mesothelioma?

Research is a never-ending process in medicine. Along with conventional routes, doctors offer a range of clinical trials as treatment. Each trial undergoes strict supervision and monitoring to ensure patients enrolling in these trials get the most out of it.

While results are not guaranteed, and it’s too early to make these methods into proper treatment routes, they still help patients. Here are some clinical trials that are in the process of becoming options:

• Tumor Treating Fields. Tumor Treating Fields or TTFields use alternating electrical fields to treat cancer. These fields interfere with a cancer cell’s life cycle disrupting its growth and gradually killing it. The procedure has clearance from the FDA but is still running trials and has yet to become an option.

• Immunotherapy. This process uses the patient’s immune system to kill off cancer cells. An immunotherapy drug goes into the patient, producing antibodies that recognize cancer cells. Identification of these cells leads to their eradication, and all it requires is a properly functioning immune system.

• Cryotherapy. This is a surgical procedure that freezes cancer cells and kills them. The process may involve using radiation and chemotherapy to localize and shrink them before freezing them for removal.

• Gene Therapy. This process modifies viruses to control cancer. Genetically modified cells go into the patient’s body, activating cancer-killing cells. Since genetics is still under research, gene therapy has a long way before feasible.

• Photodynamic Therapy. Patients get injected with a light-sensitive drug which makes cancer cells vulnerable to laser light. After the injection, patients get treated with light energy, which activates the drug and kills the cancerous cells.

• Virotherapy. Viruses are genetically modified and introduced into the patient’s body during this cancer treatment. These microbes identify cancer cells and attack them, ignoring other body cells.

4. What Are Supportive Treatment Options Available For Patients?

Conventional treatment options and clinical options are not the only treatment routes. Doctors also have several supportive ways to work in unison with traditional methods and help patients.

These routes are applied after the patient goes through a round of conventional treatments. The purpose of support methods is to ensure that the cancer cells get sufficient targeting and die from maximum exposure. Below are support methods doctors use in treating mesothelioma:

• Thoracentesis. After surgery, there is a chance a patient’s lung may build up with fluids. These fluids aggravate the patient’s condition and may bring back cancer cells. So a doctor inserts a long needle into the lung cavity of the patient and extracts the excessive fluid during thoracentesis. They install a small drain in the lungs following the extraction to keep liquids from pooling again.

• Pleurodesis. During this surgical procedure, doctors eliminate spaces within the lungs where fluid can potentially build up. The process is slightly more invasive and requires close attention to detail, so a lung is not accidentally punctured.

• Paracentesis. This method targets the patient’s abdominal cavity. It is similar to thoracentesis but instead occurs in the abdominal zone. A doctor will insert a long needle to reduce pressure and fluids from the abdomen.

Wrap Up

Mesothelioma is not a manageable illness to live with. It is very debilitating, and unless a patient seeks treatment, it can get hard to live a fulfilling life. Depending on cancer, doctors may prescribe several treatment methods to the patient. These methods are evidence-based and contain substantial research to attest to their success.

Conventional methods involve surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Clinical trials involve more deeply invigorating processes that have yet to become options. There are also supportive care methods available that ensure that a patient’s chances of relapsing get narrowed after each conventional method.

Once the clinical trials get quantifiable results and success, they can become an asset in treating such aggressive cancer. But, for now, if you ever contract mesothelioma, know there are treatment options for you.