Mesothelioma is that form of cancer which is caused by exposure to asbestos. The Mesothelioma treatment options depends on a number of factors including the patient’s age, the location of the tumor as well as the stage it is in.
The result of the treatment also depends on whether the oncologist has had experience with the disease in the past. It also depends on whether the individual resides in rural areas and thus, will have to travel to a better hospital in the urban area for treatment.
Those suffering from Mesothelioma can live up to 5 years after the diagnosis when it is found in the initial stages. However, if it is found in the last stage, he will live for a maximum of 18 months.
The cells can be found in the body by carrying out X-rays, MRIs or CT Scans. Some years ago, the Food and Drug Administration came up with a new test called the Mesomark Test. Those diagnosed with epitheloid or biphasic Mesothelioma will be required to have a blood test. Experts will then measure those proteins that are found in the blood and which will prove that the patient is suffering from Mesothelioma. This is because the nature of these proteins tends to change if cancerous cells are present in the body.
Let us look at the various Mesothelioma treatment options:
1-Surgery Since the Mesothelioma cancer cells develop in the lining around the chest and the lungs, surgery can be carried out to remove a lung or the affected parts of the lining around the chest. Apart from that, the sac which is found around the heart and the diaphragm can also be removed to increase the rate of survival.
2-Thoracoscopy The doctor will insert a narrow and small tube into the patient’s pleural cavity which will enable him to view the tumor properly. After that, a biopsy will be carried out in order to get a sample of the tissue. If possible, the fluid will then be removed from the intrapleural space by carrying out a chemical pleurodesis.
3- Radiation Therapy In this case, the doctor will use very strong x-rays for the purpose of getting rid of cancer cells.
4-Radiation Radiation is carried out to get rid of certain obstructions in the way of blood vessels in the body. This is because Mesothelioma cancer cells do not get affected by radiation. Therefore, the main purpose of this treatment is to get rid of unnecessary barriers.
5-Radiotherapy This method is carried out to avoid increased growth of the cancerous cells along the lining of the chest.
6-Chemotherapy Chemotherapy ensures that the cancer cells do not spread to other vital organs and also prevents them from multiplying.
7-Immunotherapy This process involves the removal of the tumor or parts of it after which a heated chemotherapy agent is inserted into the lining around the abdomen. This process last for about 2 hours after which the fluid is drained from the body.
Other treatments options include Mediastinoscopy and Laproscopy.