Mesothelioma Treatment

Treatments for mesothelioma are based on the stage of the disease and the patient’s age and general health.
The most common treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Multimodality therapy, the combination of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, is a common therapeutic approach for early stage mesothelioma. Trimodality therapy, in which all three of these modalities are used, is considered the most effective aggressive approach.

Research is ongoing to find a cure and more effective treatments for mesothelioma. Clinical trials are ongoing to develop and test new and more effective treatments. Clinical trials should be discussed with your doctor before beginning treatment.

Currently, there is no cure for malignant mesothelioma. For patients diagnosed with this aggressive disease, however, three traditional treatment options are available: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Doctors often utilize a combination of these traditional treatment methods to maximize their effectiveness; however, the treatments that are suggested vary from patient to patient due to a number of factors.

For example, the stage at which the cancer was detected and the cancer’s location in the body effect which treatment options will be recommended. Also, the patient’s physical health, age, and personal preferences are considered when making treatment decisions.

Surgery
Various surgical procedures may be performed in an attempt to remove the cancerous cells and damaged tissues.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, using any number of potent drugs, is also used in an effort to rid the body of cancerous cells.

Radiation
Radiation therapy, using high energy x-rays, may also be used in order to destroy cancer cells in the body.

Experimental Treatments
In addition to these traditional treatment options, several experimental treatment options are available to patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Also, there are a number of clinical trials currently being conducted throughout the United States. Patients who have not responded to established therapies might be interested in learning more about these less conventional options.

Pain Management
Several palliative therapies are available to assist mesothelioma patients with pain management.

Surgery is one of the most common forms of treatment for malignant mesothelioma. Before this invasive therapy can be considered, however, the patient’s overall health must be carefully evaluated. If the patient is a good candidate for surgery, his or her physician may suggest one of the following procedures based on the type of mesothelioma, the location and size of the cancerous cells, and other factors.

Pleurectomy
This is one of several surgical options for individuals diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. A pleurectomy is a complex procedure to remove parts of the membrane lining the lung.

Pneumonectomy
A pneumonectomy is a more aggressive surgery that is also used to treat pleural mesothelioma. In this procedure, surgery is performed to remove the diseased lung.

Extraplueral pneumonectomy
An extraplueral pneumonectomy is another option for malignant mesothelioma patients. Similar to a traditional pnuemonectomy, this procedure is used to remove a lung, but areas of the diaphragm and the lining around the heart are removed as well.

Peritonectomy
For patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a peritonectomy is the only surgical option. This procedure is performed to remove the membrane lining the abdomen, tumors on the abdominal wall, or tumors on other digestive organs.

Risks
Even for patients who are good candidates for surgery, these treatments carry significant risks. They are complex procedures that only a few surgeons are able to perform. Patients and their families should be well aware of the potential benefits and the dangers associated with each of the surgeries before making a decision about how to proceed with treatment.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Surgical Treatment Options