Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Most specialists will be found at large medical centers. Asbestos lung mesothelioma also known as asbestos lung cancer have many treatment and legal options. They include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Unlike other cancers, mesothelioma spreads along surfaces, nerves and blood vessels making it extremely difficult to get rid of the disease.

Surgery:

Surgery to relieve symptoms is called palliative surgery and is conducted when the patient is too ill for extensive surgery. This is intended to relieve symptoms. Surgery for a cure is difficult for mesothelioma because it is rarely isolated.  If surgery is recommended investigate further into the goals and intentions of the operation.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options For Relieve Symptoms:

A mesothelioma treatment to relieve symptoms involves removing fluid from the chest. A needle is put into the chest cavity and the fluid is drained out. Talc or drugs are injected in to the chest to stick the lining and chest wall together to prevent further fluid build.

Sometimes shunts are used. This is a device placed in the chest that takes fluid from the chest into the abdomen. Fluid that is in the abdomen is much more likely to be absorbed. The patient uses a pump to move the fluid several times a day.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options Radiation

Is used to kill cancer and shrink tumors. External radiation is used most in a mesothelioma treatment. Radiation mesothelioma treatment is much like an X-ray but lasts longer and is given multiple times a week. This can cause lung damage and is not a preferred method of treatment. This is used for patients who are too ill for surgery. This method is also effective in killing existing areas of cancer after surgery.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options Chemotherapy:

Injected or swallowed to kill the cancer or the lungs can be injected directly.  Chemo can be used with surgery or by itself for the relief of symptoms. This is given in 3-4 week cycles allowing for the body to recover.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Sorafenib (Nexavar): Angiogenesis inhibitors target the growth of new blood vessels. Tumors need these to grow larger.

Ranpirnase (Onconase): enzyme that breaks down RNA  and causes cancer cells to die.

Gene Therapy: Repairing and replacing defective genes and cancer cells.

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