You have several treatment options if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. While there are common treatments for different forms of mesothelioma, doctors often combine treatments to achieve the very best results. New treatments are being developed for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases on a regular basis.

Each stage of the disease responds differently to treatment. The stage of the cancer generally determines the treatment options available.

Stage I mesothelioma only occurs in certain areas of the body. It has not yet spread to other parts of the body. It can often be removed by surgery. Some of the treatments for Stage I cancer include:

1. Pleurectomy and decortications: When surgery is used to remove either the whole or part of the organ such as the pleural cavity or lung lining. The patient’s quality of life can be improved and much of the pain from the disease can be eliminated.

2. Extra pleural pneumonectomy: When the cancerous lung has been removed through surgery, as well as parts of the pericardium, diaphragm and parietal pleura.

3. Radiation: High energy radiation is used to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment is often used when patients are too sick to undergo surgery. High-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiation therapy affects cancer cells only in the treated part of the body. Radiation may be delivered externally by a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or internally by materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes). These are administered by inserting a thin plastic tube into the chest or abdomen which is known as internal radiation therapy.

4. Clinical trials: New treatments that use surgery, radiation, new cancer drugs or a combination of different treatments.

When mesothelioma is in Stages II and III, many of the treatment options are to ease the patients pain. Usually there is no cure for mesothelioma in these stages. Once the disease has advanced and is malignant, some of the differ;rent treatment options can include:

1. Pleurodesis or paracentesis: The removal of fluid that has built up in the abdomen or chest using a catheter or needle.

2. Surgery: Procedures to remove the tumor or reduce the amount of fluid in the abdomen or chest.

3. Pleurectomy and decortication- Either a part or the whole cancerous organ is removed, to help the person’s quality of life and ease pain caused by the disease.

4. Chemotherapy: Treatments using anticancer agents that can directly treat the abdomen or chest to lower the amount of fluid buildup and shrink tumors.

5. Clinical trials: A combination of therapies such as chemotherapy surgery or radiation.

Stage IV symptoms of the disease such as pain can be relieved through such treatment as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Also, clinical trials might be used for patients to receive benefit from some of the newest alternative treatments.

While the disease cannot be cured, there are many treatment options available to help the patient deal with the pain and discomfort of the disease. There is nothing that causes the disease to disappear, but, with early treatment, prognosis may be improved and symptoms controlled more easily.

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Category: Cancer Survival
Keywords: asbestosis, asbestos exposure, asbestos lawsuit, asbestos lawyer, mesothelioma