Mesothelioma treatments |
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| Date Added: March 29, 2009 02:07:20 AM | |
| Author: | |
| Category: Asbestos / Mesothelioma Lawyers | |
Here is a description of treatments for mesothelioma that a doctor may recommend. Whether a treatment is recommended depends on factors individual to each case. Though there is no known cure for the disease, these treatments can help to make the patient more comfortable or help to slow the progression of mesothelioma. n some cases, surgery may be indicated to alleviate symptoms or slow the progression of mesothelioma. Surgery may be performed in tandem with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, also known as “multi-modal therapy.” Whether a surgery is recommended in your case will depend on factors unique to your situation, including the type and location of the cancer, the “stage” of the cancer, and your overall health. Of course, whether your doctor recommends surgery in your case will depend on factors individual to your case. Pleural Mesothelioma Surgeries Thoracentesis This procedure involves the draining of fluid that may build up (called a “pleural effusion”) in the chest between the lung and the pleura. A tube is placed in the chest in order to drain out the fluid. Thoracentesis is a “palliative” treatment, meaning that its purpose is to help relieve discomfort. Pleurodesis Pleurodesis is a surgical procedure to help control pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid between the lungs and the lung lining. Pleurodesis closes the space between the lung and the lung lining, reducing the chance for fluid to accumulate. There are two approaches to performing a pleurodesis. In the first, a tube that is inserted into the chest drains the excess fluid. After this fluid is drained, a schlerosing agent (a substance that causes tissue to scar or harden), such as sterile talc powder, is injected through the chest tube and into the pleural space. The schlerosing agent is allowed to distribute itself through the pleural space, with the patient being asked to move about in order to facilitate the distribution. Once the agent is distributed, suction is applied to the tube in the chest. Similar to collapsing a plastic bag, the suction brings the two pleural surfaces together, allowing them to “scar” together. The second method of pleurodesis uses thoracoscopy, whereby a small incision, or a series of small incisions, are made in the skin. A thoracoscope is passed through the incision in order to get a better look at the pleura. The schlerosing agent is then applied to the area. Pleurectomy/Decortication Pleurectomy/decortication involves removing the pleura, where most of the tumor is located. This procedure may help control pleural effusions (fluid build-up) and help to decrease the pain caused by the tumor. It is a palliative treatment, meaning that its goal is to help to lessen the discomfort caused by mesothelioma. Pneumonectomy A pneumonectomy is the removal of all or part of the lung. Your surgeon will make an incision in the side of the chest. When the lung is revealed, the surgeon visually assesses the tumor and decides how much tissue should be removed. Extrapleural pneumonectomy This extensive surgery usually involves the removal of the pleura, pericardium, diaphragm, and the whole lung on the side of the cancerous tumor. Your surgeon may decide to remove some of the surrounding tissues, as well. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgeries Paracentesis Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up in the abdomen in a process called peritoneal effusion. This excess fluid is drained through a needle and tube inserted into the abdomen. Paracentesis (sometimes called an “ascitic tap”) can help take the pressure off the internal organs, and also helps reduce the risk of infection that may be caused by the fluid buildup. This is a “palliative” procedure, meaning that the goal of paracentesis is to help to relieve the discomfort associated with peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritonectomy A “peritonectomy” involves removing the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen where the mesothelioma first develops. This form of surgery is most often used when the cancer is detected in the very early stages of the disease. Your surgeon might recommend that a peritonectomy be performed in tandem with “intraperitoneal hypothermic perfusion,” a form of heated chemotherapy where the chemotherapy drugs are administered directly into the abdomen during and/or after surgery. Cytoreductive (or “debulking”) surgery During cytoreductive or debulking surgery, the surgeon opens the abdominal cavity (a procedure known as a “laparotomy”) to look for all signs of cancer and attempt to remove as much of the tumor as possible. This surgery can be quite long in duration because of the amount of detail the surgeon must use to search for and remove signs of cancer in the abdominal area. Your surgeon might recommend that this surgery be performed in tandem with “intraperitoneal hypothermic perfusion,” a form of heated chemotherapy administered into the abdominal cavity. Pericardial Mesothelioma Surgeries Pericardiocentesis This is the process for drawing fluid out of the affected area to help to relieve the discomfort associated with pericardial mesothelioma. For this procedure, a needle is inserted into the pericardium (the sac around the heart) to drain the fluid and relieve circulatory problems. The draining of this fluid can be associated with complications, however. Extrapleural pneumonectomy An aggressive surgery also used in appropriate situations to treat pleural mesothelioma, an extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removal of the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the entire lung on the side of the tumor. Chemotherapy uses certain chemical agents or drugs that are specifically destructive to malignant tissues and cells. Doctors may recommend single agent chemotherapy or a combination chemotherapy treatment. The single agent chemotherapy treatment involves the use one type of chemical or drug. The combination chemotherapy method involves the use of more than one chemical or drug. While it is not a cure for mesothelioma, chemotherapy treatment may slow the progression of the cancer. What follows is a partial listing of the chemotherapy treatments a doctor might recommend to treat mesothelioma: * Alimta (Pemetrexed) Alimta, when used with Cisplatin is indicated for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and is usually given through an intravenous tube (IV infusion). * Onconase (Ranpirnase) A new drug that may help slow the growth of mesothelioma tumors. * Navelbine (Vinorelbine) Like Alimta, when combined with other drugs in chemotherapy, Navelbine is used to treat mesothelioma tumors. Clinical trials are still underway and testing on some patients has begun. Navelbine is usually given intravenously. * Carbonplatin (Paraplatin) A chemotherapy medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells. It has been shown to slow the spread of cancer. Some serious side effects have been reported with the use of Carboplatin. * Cisplatin (Platinol) Cisplatin is a clear fluid given in combination with other drugs in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma. In treatment for mesothelioma, Cisplatin is usually administered with Alimta. As with many chemotherapy drugs, certain side effects may occur. Cisplatin is usually given by IV infusion. * Related Drugs and Therapy Besides the chemotherapy drugs doctors prescribe for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, there are other drugs intended for post-chemotherapy use. Doctors will also prescribe drugs intended for use at the same time chemotherapy or radiation is underway, that are meant to minimize the side effects that can accompany these treatments. o Taxotere, Taxol Tumors can return after chemotherapy in some cases. Taxotere and Taxol are drugs that are used to help rid the body of cancer cells when cancer recurs following a previous chemotherapy treatment. These drugs inhibit the duplication or reproduction of cancerous cells. They are delivered through intravenous infusion. o Zofran and Anti Nausea Drugs One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy treatment is nausea. Zofran is a drug used to ease nausea. Others are Emeset, Oncoden and Zofron. These drugs can help to control radiation therapy induced nausea, as well as post-op nausea and other kinds of nausea. o Endostatin A natural protein shown to inhibit the growth of blood vessels. The administration of Endostatin results in cancerous tumors “starving” due to lack of blood. This drug is still in clinical trials and has not been approved for general prescription, however. Radiation therapy is an intense X-ray treatment to damage or kill cancer cells. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation therapy nonetheless may be used at different stages of the disease to slow its growth. Radiation is often the main treatment for patients in weak health. Radiation is also used to destroy small clusters of cancer cells that may have been missed in surgery. When used in conjunction with surgery, radiation treatment is referred to as adjuvant radiation. * External Beam Radiation The form of radiation therapy used most often is external radiation, in which a machine very similar to an X-ray machine directs strong beams of light at the cancerous cells from outside the body, killing the tumor cells underneath. * Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy) Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, involves the placement of radiation sources in the body. With mesothelioma patients, the radioactive material is positioned inside the abdomen or the chest. Palliative treatments refer to those procedures that relieve symptoms and help make the patient more comfortable. Here are some palliative therapies that may be used to treat mesothelioma. * Pleurodesis Pleurodesis is a procedure that is sometimes used to control pleural effusion, or the buildup of fluids between the lungs and the lung lining. Pleurodesis causes the space between the lungs and the lung lining to close, reducing the chance for fluid to accumulate. One method of pleurodesis uses thoracoscopy, whereby a small incision, or a few small incisions are made in the skin and a thoracoscope is passed through the incision to get a better look at the pleura. The sclerosing agent is then applied. * Pain Management Pain management is another way to treat the discomfort associated with mesothelioma. For additional information on pain management, please see Pain Management. |
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