Options in the Treatment of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most internal organs of the body. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
The disease is difficult to treat and in most cases, the prognosis is poor. The types of treatments for mesothelioma is variable, with some choosing the traditional means of treatment, while others prefer to stick to alternative options of treatment of mesothelioma. As with any cancer, treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of cancer, disease progression, age and health status of the patient.
Treatment options include:
1. If the diagnosis is made in the early stages of surgery may be recommended to remove all the cancerous tissue. This means thoracoscopy, mediastinoscopy (used for staging), or laproscopy. Often, doctors recommend surgery as palliative chest drainage and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitonial shunt, or pleurectomy, which treat the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than the disease.
2. Radiation is prescribed for patients with aggressive mesothelioma is often given in combination with surgery or to control symptoms, palliative. Research on the use of radiation therapy using implants or UV light therapy is in progress as traditional radiation therapy damages surrounding healthy tissue.
3. Chemotherapy is an option and around 12-20% of patients respond to drugs. The anti-cancer drugs kill cancer cells and prevent their spread. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not considered curative. The aim is to prevent the spread of the disease, reduce the tumor before surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy, to destroy the remnants of the tumor in the body post surgery, and to relieve pain and discomfort , palliative chemotherapy. Experts recommend prescribing premetrexed with cisplatin. These drugs have shown positive results, which is now standard care for Mesothelioma not treatable by surgery.
4. Immunotherapy where the body’s own immune system is stimulated to fight the disease. Biological response modifiers (BRM) are used in treatment. These improved immune system function, regulates the metabolic reactions that promote cancer growth, change division of cancer cells, block or reverse processes that lead to cancer formation, and prevent the spread of cancer.
5 Gene therapy, where attempts are made to correct the gene sequence that causes cancer. Many have opted for this form of treatment for the disease of mesothelioma. This approach aims to fight against asbestosis mesothelioma by correcting the gene that allows cancer tumors to grow in order to manage and control the size of the tumor and containing its spread.
This form of treatment is also in clinical trials, some patients have been known to opt for this, with some having positive effects with therapy. Recent studies indicate that using only one of the options listed above for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma mesothelioma has succeeded in improving the survival rate of patients.
6. Photodynamic Theraphy where a photosensitive medication is activated using a laser. Photodynamic therapy is a new treatment option that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes cancer cells in mesothelioma sensitive to light is injected into a vein several days before surgery. After that, the surgeon attempts to surgically remove as much cancer as possible using a special light to shine on the pleura. However, this form of treatment for mesothelioma asbestosis is currently being studied for treatment much earlier stages of the disease in the chest cavity.
7. Draining the fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity followed by introduction of drugs into the cavity to prevent fluid accumulation is done for patients who have uncontrolled fluid accumulation and intense discomfort that result.
Often, complementary medicines are also used. In the case of mesothelioma, a terminal may opt for clinical trials of new treatments that are underway in several laboratories and research centers.
However, the survival of a patient is increased when the treatments used include a combination of therapies, such as surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
This approach to cancer treatment of mesothelioma is known as the method of multi-modality treatment. It is known to be the best choice of treatment options for mesothelioma asbestosis mesothelioma treatment. The best advice on the processing line is that recommended by the oncologist.
Written by admin on January 11th, 2012 with no comments.
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