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Mesothelioma Treatments

Fortunately, with advances in medical technology, more and more mesothelioma treatments are becoming available to patients. Mesothelioma treatments largely depend on the stage of one’s cancer (for instance, if it is localized or has spread to other areas) and their overall health. While mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat, mesothelioma treatments can often extend life and enhance quality of life for patients living with this disease.

Time is of the utmost importance when it comes to mesothelioma treatments. While many patients are given a prognosis of less than one year at the time of mesothelioma diagnosis, many doctors can provide a more optimistic outlook and extend life using mesothelioma treatments.

Type of Mesothelioma Treatments

Surgery
Surgery is one type of mesothelioma treatment that has yielded mixed results. Mesothelioma surgery can either be used alone or in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatments.

The removal of the chest lining (pleurectomy/decortication) is one of the most common surgical mesothelioma treatments. Another less common surgical mesothelioma treatment is called extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which involves removing the chest lining, heart lining, and the hemi-diaphragm. Complete surgical removal of the mesothelium (or organ lining) is impossible to achieve safely. Several other types of surgery may also be used during the course of treating mesothelioma.

Surgery with Radiation
Oftentimes surgery is recommended for patients whose condition is localized. Surgery is often used in together with radiation treatment. In certain patient groups, surgery combined with radiation and chemotherapy has extended life expectancy by up to five years.

Radiation has never been shown to improve survival when used alone as a mesothelioma treatment.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is another type of mesothelioma treatment. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved a chemotherapy drug specifically for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. This drug, pemexetred, is often administered in conjunction with another drug called cisplatin. To reduce possible side effects of pemexetred, folic acid is recommended.

Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy is another type of mesothelioma treatment that has yielded positive results for many patients

Palliative Therapy
Mesothelioma treatments often concentrate on palliative care, or the relief and management of pain and symptoms developing because of tumor growth or related effects. The goal of these types of mesothelioma treatments is not to cure the patient or prolong life but to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Treatment
New and innovative mesothelioma treatments are being developed all the time. The best way to learn about mesothelioma treatments is to discuss your options with your doctor. Your doctor can also refer you to a mesothelioma specialist, enabling you to get the most advanced care available.

Mesothelioma treatment centers are located all across the United States. These mesothelioma treatment centers specialize in treating and researching mesothelioma. They also offer quality mesothelioma diagnosis, therapy, support services and education.