Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is an incredibly stressful and confusing experience. It is important to remember that doctors have no way of knowing at your lifespan.
The stage (extent of mesothelioma) and subtype are the most reliable factors to determine your prognosis. The type of surgery you receive can also impact your outlook.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs, or chemotherapy are used to treat cancers and impede their spread. They can be used as part of a multimodal therapy program that includes surgery and radiation therapy. Doctors prescribe a series of chemotherapy mesothelioma drugs that are given in cycles over several weeks with intervals of rest between. The typical mesothelioma treatment will last for a few minutes and may cause nausea and fatigue. These side effects are not permanent and will improve with each treatment cycle.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is obtaining imaging scans of the chest or abdomen. The most commonly used imaging test is a CT (computerized tomography) scan, which gives an image of three dimensions of the organs and tissues. Doctors can also request an incision biopsy to collect mesothelioma tissue to test. The sample of tissue can be examined under a microscope to determine the type of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and often takes years before doctors make the diagnosis. This is why the medical community is trying to find ways to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. One way is by measuring the biomarker in blood called Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides which are higher in mesothelioma patients.
A biopsy could be all that is required to determine mesothelioma's early stages. A biopsy is not always required, as the symptoms of a patient could be similar to those of other illnesses. A mesothelioma mistaken diagnosis can be expensive and even fatal.
In the final stages of mesothelioma combination of chemotherapy and surgery can lead to an effective cure. For instance, NYU Langone doctors treat mesothelioma peritoneal with a method called cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). During the procedure it is injected by a machine chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity after surgical removal of visible tumors and tissue. This has helped to extend survival rates for peritoneal mesothelioma patients, which range from 38-92 months following the surgical/chemotherapy treatment combination.
Whether a patient can receive surgery is contingent on the type of mesothelioma they have as well as the stage and results of their biopsy. The prognosis for a patient can also be affected by their health and age.
Radiation
Mesothelioma begins in mesothelium cells. This is a membrane covering and protecting internal organs. It is a malignant tumor that can be spread (metastasize) to other organs in the body. The mesothelium is composed of two layers that wrap around different organs such as stomach and lungs. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to other diseases like influenza or pneumonia. This could delay diagnosis or treatment. Symptoms can take 10 to 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos.
In addition to surgery and chemotherapy, radiation may also be used as a mesothelioma treatment. This kind of therapy makes use of high-energy rays and particles to kill cancerous cells, but not healthy ones. Radiation oncologists make use of special equipment to direct the radiation to where it's needed most. This reduces the side effects and complications that can result from the treatment. For instance, it can cause scarring on the tissue of your chest (radiation pneumonia).
Patients with early-stage and late-stage msothelioma will have more success. The reason for this is that surgery can remove the cancerous tissue and increase the chance of survival. Many mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in later stages. In these instances surgeons try their best to treat the symptoms and help patients live longer.
Surgeons can aid in taking out the lining of the lung or abdomen, where mesothelioma begins. They can also remove any fluid accumulation that causes symptoms. Specialists in mesothelioma collaborate with patients to design multimodal treatments plans. They can use traditional methods such as chemotherapy and newer methods like immunotherapy.
The location and type of mesothelioma also determines the patient's prognosis. Some locations are more difficult to get rid of, such as the linings of the lungs and abdominal cavity. Experts in mesothelioma will recommend the best method to reduce the chance of recurrence and improve the quality of life.
In recent years, research into mesothelioma has advanced greatly. There are now more treatment options than ever. Finding a specialist in mesothelioma is among the best steps a patient can make. A specialist can ensure that patients have access the most up-to-date approved treatment options and surgical options like immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in advanced stages that has already expanded to other organs of the body. In these instances, treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and extending as long a time as is feasible. Palliative care is the name for this kind of treatment. It includes treatments like regular drainage of the accumulation of fluid in the chest (pleurodesis) and powerful painkillers.
Before any procedure doctors evaluate the health of the patient to make sure they are capable of handling surgery and recovery. This assessment involves a physical examination and imaging tests like X rays and CT scanners. Doctors may order blood chemistry tests as well as heart function testing to check on the general health of the patient.
The kind of surgery that the patient has to undergo is determined by the mesothelioma type they have. Epithelial mesothelioma is easier treated than mixed and sarcomatoid types. A biopsy can help to determine the what's mesothelioma cancer mesothelioma type.
If the cancer has spread to the lungs, doctors will perform lung-removal surgery, known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). They will remove some of the lining of the chest wall and lung. This can improve breathing and decrease pain. It also increases the life expectancy of patients when it is combined with radiation and chemotherapy.
Some patients develop mesothelioma in their peritoneum (the layer of fatty tissue covering the abdominal organs). The mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in the abdomen. This is known as the peritoneal effusion or ascites. The fluid can be removed by a doctor through a procedure called paracentesis, or by inserting a tube in the abdomen to allow regular drainage at home.
The pleura that covers the diaphragm as well as the lungs may be affected by mesothelioma too. A mesothelioma specialist may recommend a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery to remove part of the pleura and lymph glands in the chest. This will improve breathing and increase the life duration.
Mesothelioma is a complicated cancer and, even after surgery, there's still a possibility that the cancer might recur. Mesothelioma specialists integrate surgery with other options for treatment including radiation and chemotherapy. These can kill any mesothelioma-like cells that the surgeons may have missed during the surgery.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor, develops in a thin layer of tissue covering the majority of internal organs. Researchers have discovered that it forms because of a series of genetic mutations in the cells. Over time, these abnormal cells develop out of control, forming the form of a tumor. There are many types of mesothelioma. It usually affects the lining around the lung (pleura) and, less frequently, the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
Doctors estimate a patient's life expectancy when they diagnose mesothelioma, based on their type, stage, and overall health. However, these estimates are merely estimates and could change as a result of new treatments.
Doctors have studied a number of immunotherapy treatments to treat mesothelioma. The drugs target certain proteins on the mesothelioma cell and triggering an immune response from the body's immune system.
Some of these medications include pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and the drug nivolumab. They are referred to as "checkpoint inhibitors". They remove the proteins that act as a switch to stop white blood cells from attacking mesothelioma, allowing the immunity system to recognize and kill the cancer.
Other studies have employed strategies for vaccination to boost the immune system. These studies included injecting patients with interferon or GM-CSF to encourage the body to make its own antibodies against mesothelioma. The early trials were marked by low or no response rates, as well as high toxicity.
By decreasing pain, shortness of breath and the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity, surgery can increase the quality of life of patients with pleural mesothelioma. The most commonly performed procedure is a pleurectomy, which involves removing the affected lungs and a portion of the pleura. A video-assisted procedure is another option for surgery. This involves using a small tube to drain the fluid from the chest cavity.
People suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma could also benefit from surgery. If the cancer hasn't been able to spread, a surgical resection of the lining of the abdomen and the surrounding structures may aid in reducing symptoms. Doctors may opt for a mix of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. It is important that those with mesothelioma seek a second opinion and speak to mesothelioma specialists about their options.