27 Mar Mesothelioma Treatment: Navigating Options and Advancements
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused primarily by exposure to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma cases affect the pleural area of the lungs, but the disease can also develop in abdominal, heart, or testicular tissues.
The treatment of mesothelioma remains challenging because doctors detect it late, and it advances quickly, yet medical science brings new hope to those affected by this disease. Here are five current treatments available for mesothelioma, giving you and your loved ones hope.
1. Surgery: Removing the Tumor
With early-diagnosis patients benefit most from surgery, which extends their survival time and enhances their quality of life. Two primary surgical treatments exist for pleural mesothelioma diagnosis:
- Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP): The aggressive treatment method Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) requires surgeons to remove both the affected lung and diaphragm segments and the pleural lining surrounding the heart. The operation removes significant tumor mass but requires a long recovery, and it works best for early-stage pleural mesothelioma patients, particularly those with the epithelial cell type, as it tends to respond better to treatment.
- Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D): Medical professionals remove the lung lining and chest wall tissues but leave the lung intact. When patients cannot endure whole-lung removal, P/D provides a treatment option that alleviates symptoms and helps prevent disease advancement.
In peritoneal mesothelioma, Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) is combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which has shown promising survival outcomes.
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, and navigating treatment options often comes with emotional and financial challenges. If you’re in the area, consulting a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and explore compensation options to cover medical expenses related to these advanced treatments.
2. Chemotherapy: Systemic Cancer Control
Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of mesothelioma treatment. It utilizes medicines to eliminate cancer cells or minimize their multiplication rate. The standard treatment consists of pemetrexed (Alimta) combined with cisplatin, which has been the accepted method for many years. Patients who cannot handle cisplatin treatment receive carboplatin as a substitute drug.
Chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma does not provide a cure, but it reduces tumor sizes while managing symptoms to enhance patient survival rates.
3. Radiation Therapy: Targeting Tumors with Precision
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It is often used:
- After surgery: To kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- As palliative care: To relieve pain or discomfort caused by tumors pressing against nerves or organs.
Newer techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton therapy, also exist. These allow for more precise targeting of tumors while sparing healthy tissue and reducing side effects.
4. Immunotherapy: Harnessing the Immune System
Immunotherapy is a highly promising advancement in the treatment of mesothelioma. Through immune system enhancement therapy, the human body can identify and destroy cancer cells. In 2020, the FDA approved a combination of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) as a first-line treatment for unresectable pleural mesothelioma.
These immune checkpoint inhibitors help the immune system recognize cancer as a threat. Immunotherapy is especially beneficial for patients who aren’t candidates for surgery. Scientists continue studying personal immunotherapy techniques, including CAR-T cell therapy and cancer vaccine, to develop precise therapeutic approaches that will become available.
5. Targeted Therapy: Precision Medicine
Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy focuses on specific genetic mutations or proteins in cancer cells. Through its targeted approach, the medication minimizes harm done to healthy tissue cells while potentially producing better treatment results.
Scientists research drugs to treat BAP1 gene mutations and other genetic defects. Targeted therapy exists at an initial phase but shows potential for creating customized cancer treatments based on individual patient DNA profiles.
Endnote
The treatment of mesothelioma remains difficult, yet current research and new therapies combined with clinical trials offer hope to patients. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, and individualized treatment approaches lead to improved patient results. Scientific progress increases the opportunities to provide enhanced and sympathetic medical treatment for patients who face this life-threatening illness.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, exploring every treatment option, including clinical trials, may offer hope and extend life expectancy. Medical experts and researchers dedicate themselves to combating mesothelioma by continuously pursuing hope and turning it into actual therapeutic advances.
More information:
—————-
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition.
Some links are sponsored.
Eminent Domains Inc and MedicalResearch.com are not responsible for the content of links. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD