Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the linings of lungs and abdominal area caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. It takes 30–40 years for this cancer to appear after the asbestos exposure. It is important to treat this cancer in the early stages otherwise it proves fatal. There are various modes of treating mesothelioma but the three main conventional most commonly used mode of treatment are: Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy.
Surgery
There are three types of surgeries for mesothelioma treatments but two are the main types for treating the tumor while the third types of surgery are used mainly for diagnostic purposes,
The two main types are: Aggressive Surgery and Palliative Surgical Procedures. Before performing any surgery, it is necessary to check whether the heart and lungs are functioning properly.
Aggressive surgery, also known as Pneumonectomy, is a complicated surgery performed on younger patients, who are good in health and can bear the surgery. Pneumonectomy involves the removal of extra pleural membrane and one lung. The main purpose of this mesothelioma treatment is to physically remove as much tumor as possible.
Palliative procedures of mesothelioma treatment are known as Pleurectomy. It is done in the early stages of cancer. This process of mesothelioma treatment involves surgical removal of pleura. However, the procedures are involved to lessen and control the symptoms rather than to cure the disease. This surgery reduces the pain caused by the tumor mass and helps in preventing the recurrence of pleural effusion. Complete removal of tumor is not possible with this procedure.
Chemotherapy
This a mesothelioma treatment method that makes combined use of anti cancer drugs to shrink and kill the tumor cells. Though some patients show only partial success to this method, some combinations of chemotherapy drugs have proved successful. Scientists have developed some new chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma treatments. Examples of commonly used chemotherapy drugs are Alimta and Cisplatin.
Radiation therapy
This mesothelioma treatment method makes use of nuclear radiations to kill the malignant cells and shrink the tumor. However, radiation therapy is an extremely difficult procedure. It can damage the healthy cells of heart, lungs, and other vital organs surrounded by radiation dosage. Dual therapy includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with the combination of surgery. This combination helps in killing any remaining tumor cells left after surgery and in relieving symptoms such as pain.
Mesothelioma treatments can be very expensive. However the patients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos based diseases can file lawsuits for recovering damages medical expenses, loss of income, lost earning capacity, pain and sufferings. The mesothelioma victims can take help of expert asbestos attorneys to locate the defendants- persons/companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma victims need to learn about mesothelioma and treatment options and look for adequate information to enable them cope with a mesothelioma diagnosis better.
