Mesothelioma Treatment
For over 3,000 people each year, mesothelioma is a devastating disease that wreaks havoc upon the body. Mesothelioma exists in four stages and is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. Depending on the stage of the disease, there are different treatments available to help victims eradicate the disease or at the very least relieve pain and improve their comfort and quality of life.
Early Treatment Options
Patients who discover they have stage 1 mesothelioma have the most treatment options available to them. Cancer specialists will suggest treatment options based on patient health, needs and situation. If the disease has not spread far outside the lungs, it may be possible to surgically remove the tumor or affected part of the lung (a surgery called leurectomy or decortication). If the disease has spread throughout the lung, doctors may also recommend a extrapleural pnemonectomy, or full removal of a lung. In some cases, it is possible for doctors to surgically remove the tumor and then follow up with small doses of chemotherapy or radiation to maintain control over the spread of any remaining tumor tissue.
For patients diagnosed with stage 2 mesothelioma, the options become more limited. Generally, at this point the disease has metastasized to the point of affecting the lungs and surrounding body tissue. In these cases, the success rate for surgical removal of the tumor is lower and most doctors recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy. At this point in time, the treatment goal for many doctors is to slow the progression and spread of the disease so the patient has the least amount of pain possible and can enjoy a better quality of life.
Late Stage Treatment Options
Stage 3 mesothelioma patients are those who have been diagnosed with the disease and whose bodies have been so widely affected that the tumor has spread from the lungs to other nearby vital organs including the heart or lymphatic system. In these instances, surgery is no longer a viable option and the progression of the disease can only be slowed by chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Due to the delicate nature of surrounding vital organs, radiation treatment can be dangerous at this stage, and procedures such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) are recommended to adequately control the intensity of the radiation to protect surrounding organ cells.
Unfortunately, patients diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma have such an advanced case of the disease that treatment options turn mostly from curing the disease to controlling pain and providing the best quality of life possible for the victim. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment may still be administered to manage pain and spread of the disease, and alternative treatments including acupuncture, massage, and spiritual or emotional support may also be provided for patients at this stage of the disease.
To learn more about common mesothelioma treatment options, please contact a medical specialist at your local cancer treatment center. For legal, medical or financial advice, contact us today to receive the help and assistance you deserve.
The information provided by Mesothelioma-doctors.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.