July 23, 2024

Mesothelioma Treatment

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Understanding Mesothelioma Treatment Options: A Comprehensive Guide

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is a life-changing moment. After delivering the news, your physician should discuss the best mesothelioma treatment options for someone with your specific condition. The best course of action usually depends on several factors, including:

  • Your type of mesothelioma
  • The stage of your disease
  • The location of your cancer
  • Your age and general health

Pursuing the compensation you’re owed for your negligent asbestos exposure is an important step to plan for, too. Not only can the monetary damages help you care for family members or loved ones in the future, but by filing a suit, you can help ensure that companies are held responsible for their actions. Trust Serling & Abramson, P.C., a Michigan-based law firm, to bring their experience and knowledge from over five decades of mesothelioma litigation to your specific case.

Read on to learn more about mesothelioma treatment options and which one might be best for you.

Deciding on a Treatment Plan

There are two major factors doctors consider when developing a patient’s mesothelioma treatment plan:

  • The extent of the disease
  • The patient’s age and health

If the cancer is relatively contained and the patient is in good health, surgery can be an effective mesothelioma treatment plan. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to attempt to shrink the tumor. Afterward, radiation therapy is often used to destroy cancer cells that were not visible during the surgery.

Because older people are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, many patients are not considered healthy enough for surgery. Instead, the best course of action could be systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Other treatments can include targeted therapy or clinical trials.

Surgery for Mesothelioma

Having a surgical procedure can reduce the amount of cancer in your body and slow the progression of your mesothelioma. This can also buy time for patients to receive other therapies such as radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Another positive: Surgery can help patients by reducing or relieving symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath.

It’s important to remember that the main goal of mesothelioma surgery is to remove the tumor or affected areas, not to cure the disease. It is unrealistic to expect to remove every microscopic tumor cell from your body.

Mesothelioma Therapies

Patients seeking the right mesothelioma treatment may be advised to pursue one or more of the following:

Radiation Therapy

Typically used after surgery, this is the process of using high-energy beams to destroy mesothelioma cancer cells. It may also be used simply to help relieve pain or discomfort, known as palliative radiation.

Chemotherapy

Proven to prolong life in mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is primarily used on patients who present a surgery risk. It can also be used on good surgical candidates prior to surgery.

Targeted Therapy

This is designed to “target” the molecules that help mesothelioma cancer cells survive and spread. Successful targeted therapy results in stopping or slowing the growth of mesothelioma cancer.

Immunotherapy

This improves the ability of a patient’s immune system to eliminate mesothelioma cancer on its own.

Clinical Trials

These involve new, novel therapies that may only be offered at select medical facilities around the U.S. Physicians typically only recommend a clinical trial if they believe it is in the patient’s best interest.

Self-Care During Recovery

Whichever form of mesothelioma treatment you are receiving, there are several self-care tips and techniques you can use to live comfortably and give your body space and time to heal:

  • Get enough food, rest, and exercise
  • Avoid respiratory infections by avoiding crowds and washing hands often
  • Get annual flu and pneumonia shots, and encourage family and caregivers to do the same
  • Stay inside when air pollution and pollen counts are high
  • Avoid cigarette/vape smoke
  • Use “productive coughs” to bring up mucus from the lungs and air passages

Because the most common form of mesothelioma (pleural mesothelioma) affects the lining of your chest cavity, be sure to talk to your doctor about respiratory therapies and breathing techniques that can drain and remove secretions from your lungs. Proper breathing and correct posture will improve the function of respiratory muscles and help you breathe easier and more efficiently, so you can feel like enough air is getting into your lungs.

Understanding Different Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can develop in various parts of the body. The three main types of mesothelioma are:

  • Pleural Mesothelioma: Affects the pleura, the lining of the lungs and chest cavity.
  • Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Affects the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity.
  • Pericardial Mesothelioma: Affects the pericardium, the lining around the heart.
  • Testicular Mesothelioma: Affects the lining surrounding the testicles.

Each type requires a tailored treatment approach, depending on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for about 75% of all cases. It affects the pleura, which is the protective lining around the lungs and chest cavity. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often include chest pain, shortness of breath, and pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the chest cavity).

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, accounts for about 20% of mesothelioma cases. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, swelling, and fluid buildup. Treatment often involves cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare and affects the lining around the heart. Symptoms may include chest pain, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. Due to its rarity, treatment options are more limited and often focus on palliative care to relieve symptoms.

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma, or mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, is a rare cancer affecting the lining surrounding the testicles. It commonly presents with symptoms such as testicular swelling, lumps, pain, or fluid buildup in the scrotum. Diagnosis is often incidental during surgery for other conditions, using ultrasound, CT scans, and biopsies. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the tumor, and may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Due to its rarity, comprising less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases, early detection and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes.

Advanced Treatment Options

Advanced mesothelioma cases may require a combination of treatments to manage the disease effectively. These treatments can include:

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

IMRT is a type of radiation therapy that uses advanced technology to manipulate photon and proton beams of radiation to conform to the shape of a tumor. This allows higher radiation doses directly to the tumor while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

Systemic Chemotherapy

Systemic chemotherapy involves using anti-cancer drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. This treatment is often used for patients who are not candidates for surgery.

Heated Chemotherapy Wash (HIPEC)

HIPEC is a treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma. After cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors, a heated chemotherapy solution is circulated in the abdominal cavity to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Prognostic Factors and Survival Rates

Several factors influence the prognosis and survival rates for mesothelioma patients. These factors include:

  • Cancer Stage: Early-stage mesothelioma has a better prognosis than advanced-stage mesothelioma.
  • Cell Type: Epithelioid cell type mesothelioma has a better prognosis compared to sarcomatoid and biphasic cell types.
  • Patient’s Age and Health: Younger, healthier patients generally have better outcomes.
  • Treatment Response: How well a patient responds to treatment can significantly impact survival rates.

The median survival rate for mesothelioma patients is approximately 12-21 months, but some patients may live longer with aggressive treatment and optimal care.

Clinical Trials and Emerging Therapies

Participation in clinical trials can provide access to new and innovative treatments that are not yet widely available. Clinical trials may involve experimental drugs, new combinations of existing treatments, or cutting-edge therapies such as gene therapy and immunotherapy.

The Role of Mesothelioma Specialists

Mesothelioma specialists are medical professionals with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma. They often work in multidisciplinary teams, including oncologists, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, and palliative care experts, to provide comprehensive care for mesothelioma patients.

Palliative Care and Quality of Life

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for mesothelioma patients. It can be provided alongside curative treatments and includes pain management, respiratory therapy, and psychological support.

Legal Support for Mesothelioma Patients

Navigating the legal landscape for mesothelioma patients can be complex. Engaging a law firm experienced in mesothelioma cases can help secure financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Compensation

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can help secure compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Experienced mesothelioma lawyers can guide patients and their families through the legal process, ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable for their negligence.

Conclusion

Mesothelioma is a severe and often misunderstood disease. By debunking common myths and providing accurate information, we hope to enhance your understanding of the risks associated with asbestos exposure and the importance of seeking medical and legal support. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is crucial to act swiftly to secure the necessary care and compensation. Contact Serling & Abramson, P.C. for a free review of your case and to learn more about your legal options.

Remember, early detection and comprehensive treatment are key to improving outcomes for mesothelioma patients. Stay informed, seek support, and take action to protect your health and rights.