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Mesothelioma Treatments

Pleural mesothelioma can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. These options may be used separately or in combination, which is called multimodality therapy. In most cases, pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed during an advanced stage of development and at a time when surgical options and other chemotherapy procedures are less effective.

Pleural Mesothelioma Surgery

One palliative form of surgery used on pleural mesothelioma patients is pleurodesis. This procedure is performed to prevent or reduce the effects of pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid in the lungs. Once the pleural spaces are drained of excess fluid, patients often have a much easier time breathing and feel less pain.
Another surgical operation that may be used for pleural mesothelioma patients is extrapleural pneumonectomy. This procedure removes the affected lung, pleura and diaphragm and then reconstructs the diaphragm along with the pericardium. While patients may experience long remissions after receiving this surgery, only those diagnosed with Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma typically qualify as candidates.

Pleural Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

There are several chemotherapy options available for pleural mesothelioma patients. Choosing which chemotherapy option is best for you will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the cancer, your age, general health and any other treatments being administered. Some of the most common chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma patients are Alimta, Cisplatin and Carboplatin. Physicians may decide to combine these drugs for more effective results.

Pleural Mesothelioma Radiation

Radiation therapy is utilized to kill cancerous cells and control the growth of new cancer cells. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment method or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. The three primary types of radiation therapy include external beam radiotherapy, unsealed source radiation therapy and brachytherapy. Depending on which method is used, both cancerous cells and healthy cells can be affected by radiation therapy.

Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment by Stage

Stage 1 – As with most forms of cancer, pleural mesothelioma can be treated most effectively when it is diagnosed during the earliest stage of development. If a patient is diagnosed with Stage 1 mesothelioma, successful removal of all tumors may be possible through a surgical procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy. This may be combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Stage 2 and 3 – Patients diagnosed with Stage 1 or 2 pleural mesothelioma may have the option of surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Surgery during these stages is considered to be palliative care rather than curative. In some cases, patients do experience long remissions if surgery is successful. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be combined depending upon the health of the patient.
Stage 4 – Pleural mesothelioma that has metastasized to others areas of the body is considered to be a Stage 4 diagnosis. Surgery is not an option during this stage and treatment is often aimed at relieving symptoms and making the patient feel as comfortable as possible. This could include minor surgical procedures to remove fluid from the lungs or chemotherapy and radiation as palliative measures.

Other Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Options

A patient may want to consider enrolling in a clinical trial that involves the testing of new mesothelioma treatments. Clinical trials are typically new drug treatments that differ from traditional chemotherapies currently being used. Certain enzymes such as Ranpirnase (Onconase) have been successfully tested through clinical trials. The American Cancer Society reports that Ranpirnase has been known to help some mesothelioma patients live longer.

Gene therapy is another option being studied for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. Through gene therapy, a modified virus is injected into the chest cavity. Once the virus infects the mesothelioma cells, an immune system hormone is created that in turn stimulates the immune system’s cells to attack the mesothelioma. Patients considering a clinical trial should keep in mind that they will also be helping the researchers find a cure for others as well as themselves.

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