How is mesothelioma treated?

Mesothelioma treatment depends on the location of the cancer, stage of disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment of mesothelioma. Doctors can use the lining of the chest and abdomen, or network environments. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the lung can be removed in a pneumonectomy. Sometimes, the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs, breathing, is also removed.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, including radiation therapy, the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiotherapy only in tumor cells treated in this region. Radiation, because of the machine (external radiation) or marketing materials, the radiation through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells (internal radiation).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used for treatment of mesothelioma, by injection into a vein (intravenously or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of chemotherapy directly into the stomach or chest (intracavitary chemotherapy).

To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor with a needle or thin tube to drain fluid in the abdomen or chest. Procedure to remove fluid from the chest is thoracentesis. Removal of fluid in the stomach is paracentesis. Drugs may be the tube in the chest to prevent more moisture. Surgery and radiotherapy may also be useful in reducing symptoms.

Enter Your Email Address, Get the newst post in your inbox: