Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is an overwhelming and difficult experience. It is important to remember that doctors are only able to guess at your life expectancy.
The stage (extent of mesothelioma) and subtype are the most reliable variables to determine your prognosis. The type of surgery you receive can also affect your prognosis.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs, also referred to as chemotherapy, kill cancerous tumors and stop the spread of cancer. They can be used alone or as part of a treatment program with surgery and radiation therapy called multimodal therapy. Doctors prescribe a number of chemotherapy drugs to mesothelioma sufferers. They are administered in a series, spread over several weeks, with intervals of rest in between. The typical mesothelioma chemotherapy lasts a few hours and can trigger negative side effects, such as nausea and fatigue. These side effects are not permanent and will improve with each treatment.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is obtaining imaging scans of the abdomen or chest. The most commonly used imaging test is the CT (computerized tomography) scan, which offers a three-dimensional view of the organs and tissues. Doctors may request biopsy to collect a sample for the examination of mesothelioma. This tissue sample can be examined under microscopes to determine the mesothelioma type.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can take several years before doctors are able to make the diagnosis. The medical community is trying to discover ways to detect mesothelioma earlier. One way to do this is by measuring the biomarker Soluble Mesothelin Related Peptides in the blood. This biomarker is found to be elevated in mesothelioma patients.
A biopsy could be all that is needed to determine mesothelioma's early stages. However the procedure isn't always necessary, since the symptoms of a patient can be similar to symptoms of a number of illnesses. A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma could be costly and fatal.
In the last stages of mesothelioma combination of surgery and chemotherapy could lead to the possibility of a cure. NYU Langone doctors, for example, treat peritoneal cancer using a method called cytoreductive surgery, which is a procedure that is combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intratperitoneal chemotherapy). During this procedure, a machine injects chemotherapy drugs that are heated directly into the abdominal cavity immediately following surgical removal of cancerous tumors visible and tissues. This has helped to extend survival rates for peritoneal mesothelioma patients, which range from 38-92 months following the surgical/chemotherapy treatment combination.
The mesothelioma type, stage of the cancer and the results of the biopsy will determine whether a patient is suitable for surgery. The prognosis of patients can be affected by their health and age.
Radiation
Mesothelioma develops in the cells of the mesothelium. This is a membrane covering and protecting internal organs. It is an aggressive tumor that may grow (metastasize) to other parts of the body. The mesothelium consists of two layers that surround and wrap around various organs such as stomach and lungs. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. After asbestos exposure symptoms can take up to 50 years to show up.
In addition to chemotherapy and surgery, radiation may also be employed as a mesothelioma treatment. This type of therapy utilizes high energy rays and particle to kill cancerous cells but not healthy ones. Radiation oncologists make use of special equipment to direct the radiation to where it's most needed. This helps reduce the adverse effects and complications that can result from the treatment. For example, scarring on the lining of your chest (radiation pneumonia).
Patients with early-stage and those with late-stage msothelioma have an improved outcome. This is because surgery can eliminate cancerous tissues, which improves survival rates. However, many mesothelioma patients are diagnosed at later stages of the disease. In these cases, surgeons try to treat the symptoms to help patients live longer.
Surgeons are able remove the lining from the lungs or abdomen, in which mesothelioma first appears. They can also remove any accumulation of fluid that causes symptoms. Specialists in mesothelioma work with patients to develop multimodal treatment plans. This includes traditional methods like chemotherapy as well as more recent methods such as immunotherapy.
The location and the type of cell of mesothelioma can also affect the prognosis of a patient. Certain locations are more difficult to remove like the lung linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Experts in mesothelioma can suggest the best treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence, and improve the quality of life.
Mesothelioma research has made great strides in recent years with more treatment options now available than ever before. Finding a specialist for mesothelioma is among the most beneficial decisions that a patient can take. A specialist can ensure that the patient has access the latest approved treatment options and surgical options such as immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in advanced stages that has already expanded to other parts of the body. In these instances, the treatment focuses on improving the symptoms and prolonging as much life as possible. This type of treatment is referred to as palliative care. It includes treatments like regular drainage of fluid accumulation in the chest (pleurodesis) and powerful painkillers.
Before any procedure doctors will evaluate the patient's health to determine if they're healthy enough to undergo the procedure and recovery. The evaluation typically includes a physical examination and imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans. Doctors may order blood chemistry tests and heart function tests to assess the patient's general health.
The type of mesothelioma that a patient is diagnosed with will determine the type of surgery they receive. Mixed and epithelial mesothelioma are easier to treat than mixed or sarcomatoid types. A biopsy can help identify the mesothelioma type.
If the cancer has been spread to the lungs, doctors may perform lung-removal surgery, known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). They will take out some of the lining of the chest wall and lung. This can improve breathing and reduce the pain. It can also increase the lifespan when combined with chemotherapy and radiation.
Some patients develop mesothelioma within the peritoneum (the layer of fatty tissue that surrounds the abdominal organs). The mesothelioma cells can then cause a build-up of abdominal fluid which is a condition known as peritoneal effusion, also known as ascites. Doctors can drain the fluid through a procedure called paracentesis, or put a tube in the abdomen to drain it frequently at home.
Mesothelioma cells may also extend to the pleura, which is the lung's protective layer and diaphragm. A mesothelioma specialist may recommend a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery to remove part of the pleura and lymph glands in the chest. This can improve breathing, and can even increase the lifespan.
Even after surgery, the tumors may return. Mesothelioma cancer is a complicated disease. Mesothelioma experts combine mesothelioma lung transplant surgery with other options for treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can eliminate any mesothelioma cell that surgeons might have missed during the operation.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that is formed in a thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. Researchers have discovered that it develops due to an array of genetic mutations that occur in the cells. Over time the abnormal cells accumulate and multiply uncontrollably, eventually forming tumors. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, but it most often affects the lining around the lungs (pleura) and, less frequently, the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
Doctors determine a patient's life expectancy when they diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of their stage, type and overall health. These estimates are only estimates and may change as a result of new treatments.
Doctors have studied several immunotherapy treatment options for mesothelioma. These treatments target specific proteins on mesothelioma cells and trigger an immune system.
Some of these medications include ipilimumab, pembrolizumab and Nivolumab. These are known as "checkpoint inhibitors". They take away the proteins that function as a switch to prevent white blood cells from attacking mesothelioma. permitting the immune system to recognize and kill the cancer.
Other studies have employed vaccination strategies to stimulate the immune system. These studies included injecting patients with interferon or GMCSF to encourage the body to make its own antibodies against mesothelioma. However, these early trials had few or no responses and were associated with high toxicity.
Surgery can improve the quality of life for people with pleural mesothelioma by reducing pain, breathlessness and the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The most commonly performed procedure is a pleurectomy. This involves removing the affected lung as well as a portion of the pleura. A video-assisted procedure is a different surgical option. This involves using a small tube to drain the fluid from the chest cavity.
Surgery can be beneficial to those suffering from asbestosis peritoneal. If the cancer has not been able to spread, a surgical resection of the abdominal lining and surrounding structures could help reduce symptoms. Doctors may use a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. It is crucial for patients suffering from mesothelioma to get second opinions and consult with mesothelioma specialists about their options.