Treatment Of Mesothelioma
The treatment strategy for mesothelioma depends on the patient’s overall health, as well as the stage and location of the cancer. Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and the treatment plan is typically more aggressive than for other malignancies. Patients with mesothelioma are also diagnosed at later stages, at which point it is nearly impossible to eradicate the malignancy surgically. Rather, the physician may strive to manage the patient’s symptoms to improve their quality of life.
Doctors discuss and establish treatment options or objectives with patients. The treatment options can be as intense as the patient desires in order to achieve the slim chance of recovery. The following treatments are available:
Surgical operation
A team of surgeons works to eradicate mesothelioma following an early cancer diagnosis. In some instances, corrective surgery aids in the treatment of mesothelioma. In the majority of cases, a comprehensive cure for mesothelioma is virtually impossible. The surgical procedures aid in preventing complications and alleviating mesothelioma symptoms. The possible surgical options include:
Peritoneal mesothelioma surgery
The surgeon removes as much of the peritoneal mesothelioma tumor tissue as feasible from the patient. However, chemotherapy is required to keep the symptoms of mesothelioma at bay.
Surgical excision of a lung and adjacent tissues.
To alleviate the patient’s mesothelioma-related signs and symptoms, the surgeons remove the affected lung and the tissues surrounding it. If a patient is undergoing radiation therapy, this surgery is a viable option to complement the treatment.
Surgical excision of lung tissue surrounding the lungs
Doctors may remove the tissues encircling the lungs and ribs to alleviate some mesothelioma symptoms. This surgical procedure does not guarantee mesothelioma recovery.
Surgery to reduce fluid accumulation
In pleural mesothelioma, an accumulation of excess fluid in the lungs and thoracic cavity causes breathing difficulties. A surgeon inserts a catheter or tube into the thorax in order to drain excess fluid. The surgeons may also inject medication into the patient’s thorax to prevent a recurrence of fluid accumulation.
