Mesothelioma Information

There are a number of traditional mesothelioma treatments that are used in effort to combat the effects of the rare asbestos disease. The traditional treatments for mesothelioma can provide significant relief for patients suffering from malignant mesothelioma; however, such treatments have proven incapable of serving as a curative mesothelioma treatment modality.

Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments

Traditional mesothelioma treatments are the same as those used to combat a variety of other types of cancer:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)

Mesothelioma surgery is divided into three main categories: diagnostic mesothelioma surgery, palliative mesothelioma surgery and curative mesothelioma surgery. Diagnostic and palliative mesothelioma surgeries are most often performed on people suffering from the asbestos cancer because curative mesothelioma surgeries have proven incapable of yielding successful results (aside from a brief extension of life). As such, mesothelioma surgery is typically focused on staging a case of malignant mesothelioma through diagnostic measures and providing sufferers with pain relief through palliative measures.

Mesothelioma chemotherapy treatments are not too dissimilar from standard chemotherapy treatments used to combat a variety of cancer types. One of the chemotherapy agents that is commonly used to treat mesothelioma sufferers is the platinum-based drug, cisplatin. Although considered to be a traditional mesothelioma treatment modality, chemotherapy also falls into the category of new mesothelioma treatment because new mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs (Alimta, Onconase, anti-angiogenesis drugs, etc.) are constantly being researched and developed. Traditional mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs are often used in conjunction with the newly developed agents to better treat a case of malignant mesothelioma - Alimta, when used in combination with cisplatin, is the only mesothelioma drug approved by the FDA for the specific treatment of pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma radiation therapy is the same type of radiotherapy that is used to treat all cancer patients. Mesothelioma radiation therapy uses high dose radiation (X rays) to shrink the tumor by destroying cells at the tumor site. Once the size of tumor is reduced, the patient may feel better and be able to breathe more deeply. Radiation may also keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Side effects of radiation can include tiredness, skin rashes, and internal mucosa (throat) irritation or hoarseness.

Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments vs. New Mesothelioma Treatments

Unfortunately, traditional mesothelioma treatments have proven to be ineffective in combating malignant mesothelioma. The asbestos cancer remains incurable, paving the way for the research and development of a variety of new mesothelioma treatment modalities designed to succeed where traditional methods have not. Some new mesothelioma treatments serve as extensions of the traditional modalities, while others are spawned from a wholly unique perspective.