Mesothelioma treatment options
Unfortunately, there is presently no cure for mesothelioma. However, treatment can extend the length and quality of a person's life. The earlier treatment is begun, the more effective it usually is. There are three main treatment options for mesothelioma:
Surgery -- is used either to remove as much of the malignant tumor as possible, or to provide relief of symptoms. The most extensive form of surgery for mesothelioma is called extrapleural pneumonectomy. It involves the removal of the pleura, the diaphragm, the pericardium (the lining of the heart), and the lung. The surgery is very complex and can only be performed on certain patients. A pleurectomy removes only the pleura of a mesothelioma patient. It is done to relieve pain and breathing difficulties, and to remove localized disease.
Radiation Therapy -- must be delivered only in low doses in order to avoid damaging the lungs, heart, and other nearby organs. It is sometimes used after mesothelioma surgery in hopes of destroying remaining cancer cells. Radiation provides temporary relief of chest pain in some patients as well.
Chemotherapy -- is a widely used cancer treatment that works by killing cancer cells as they grow. Chemotherapy usually consists of a combination of cancer-fighting drugs given by injection (although they may also be given orally in some cases). Chemotherapy affects cells throughout the body, including normal cells that grow rapidly such as those in the mouth, bone marrow, hair follicles, and reproductive organs. Side effects may include nausea, hair loss, bruising, fatigue, and lowered immune system function.
ALIMTA
ALIMTA, developed by Eli Lilly, is the first and only chemotherapy drug to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma in patients for whom surgery is not an option. ALIMTA is given in cycles along with cisplatin, another chemotherapy drug, to kill cancerous cells in the linings of the lungs. In clinical trials, patients who were administered both ALIMTA and cisplatin survived, on average, three months longer than patients who were treated with only cisplatin.
ALIMTA is not for everyone, especially for patients with or who have had kidney problems. Please consult with your physician to learn more.
Thalidomide
Like ALIMTA, thalidomide is a chemotherapy drug used to treat mesothelioma in patients who, for whatever reason, are not candidates for surgery or radiation therapy. When used in conjunction with ciplatin, thalidomide has been shown to stall the growth of cancerous cells in the pleura (lung linings) and prevent the spread of the disease. Thalidomide is currently being tested in clinical trails in Australia and other locations but may be widely available if approved.
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Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a procedure in which fluid is drained through a needle or tube from the space between the lining of the lungs and the chest wall. This treatment alleviates many of the symptoms and much of the discomfort of mesothelioma, but its effects are often short-lived – in many cases, the procedure has to be repeated. For some patients, thorancentesis is used as a diagnostic test, measuring the amount of fluid in the chest and the advancement of the disease.
Gene Therapy
Still in its experimental stages, gene therapy is being explored as a potential treatment for mesothelioma. During gene therapy, formulated gene material is injected into the cancerous cells and tumors, essentially killing them. Medical experts and researchers, such as those at the University of Pennsylvania, believe that gene therapy can be safely used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatments, namely surgery, and are optimistic about its effectiveness. Consult your doctor to learn more about gene therapy.
Other Treatment Options
In addition, palliative treatments may be used to treat symptoms associated with mesothelioma. Some patients may also choose to participate in clinical trials of experimental medications or techniques (such as photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy and gene therapy). Whether or not a new type of treatment is right for you is something you and your doctor will need to decide.
For more information on mesothelioma treatment options, please contact one of our offices in New Jersey or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to speak with a mesothelioma or asbestos lawyer.
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