Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the protective lining around the heart, abdomen, and lungs. In most cases, it is caused by exposure to asbestos. Around 3,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
The prognosis for malignant mesothelioma is generally poor, with median survival around 12 months after diagnosis without treatment. However, new treatments are helping to improve prognosis and extend life expectancy for some patients.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing mesothelioma can be challenging, as its symptoms often resemble those of other illnesses. Imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans, provide a glimpse into potential abnormalities and tumors within the body. However, to conclusively diagnose mesothelioma, a biopsy is essential, where tissue samples are closely examined under a microscope.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the next step is to stage the cancer, determining its progression. Mesothelioma in stages 1 or 2 presents more treatment options, while stages 3 or 4, where the cancer has spread significantly, present greater challenges in treatment.
Individuals seeking more in-depth information on progression and treatment options can visit www.mesotheliomahope.com. The site emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment, referencing significant statistics like Ohio’s unfortunate ranking of having the fifth-highest number of asbestos deaths in 2016. Such information underscores the urgency and significance of accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.
Surgery
Surgery is an option mostly for patients diagnosed at an early stage. The goal is to remove visible tumors and improve prognosis. Common surgeries include:
- Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D): Removes the pleura lining the lung and any visible tumors. This can relieve symptoms.
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Removes the lung, pleura, diaphragm, and pericardium. This aggressive surgery can remove most visible cancer but has risks.
- Cytoreductive surgery: Removes visible tumors throughout the abdomen along with the peritoneum. Often combined with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) pumped into the abdomen during surgery.
Though risky and invasive, these procedures can significantly extend life expectancy for eligible patients by removing tumors. Careful screening determines which patients can withstand surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an important treatment option for mesothelioma patients. It uses anti-cancer drugs that circulate through the bloodstream to reach and kill cancer cells throughout the body. Commonly used chemo drugs like pemetrexed and cisplatin have been shown to shrink or slow the growth of mesothelioma tumors. This can provide significant benefits to patients, such as relief from concerning symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain.
When chemotherapy is combined with surgery, it can substantially extend life expectancy for many patients. The chemo helps kill any remaining cancer cells after tumors are removed surgically. Even patients who are not candidates for surgery can benefit from chemotherapy to prolong survival. Of course, chemotherapy does have difficult side effects like fatigue, nausea, and hair loss that must be managed. However, the potential benefits make it an essential component of treatment for most mesothelioma patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is another important treatment option that uses focused beams of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This type of targeted radiation is very effective at destroying cancer cells in the area being treated. Radiation is commonly used to help relieve pain and other debilitating symptoms caused by cancer. It may be given before or after surgery to enhance the effectiveness of the operation.
Newer radiation techniques like intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) now allow higher doses to be delivered more precisely to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This helps reduce the side effects of radiation, which can include skin irritation and fatigue. While not appropriate for all patients, radiation therapy is an effective option for reducing tumor size and providing symptom relief in many cases.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy represents an exciting new advancement in cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s own immune system to attack tumors. In mesothelioma, immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors have already been approved by the FDA. These drugs work by blocking proteins that help cancer cells hide and evade the immune system. This allows the body’s T cells to recognize and destroy the cancer.
Clinical trials have shown encouraging results from immunotherapy drugs in extending life expectancy for many mesothelioma patients. In addition, the side effects of immunotherapy tend to be milder compared to traditional chemotherapy. While not effective for every patient, the ability of immunotherapy to strengthen the body’s own defenses against cancer offers new hope for improved prognosis. As research continues, it has the potential to become integral to mesothelioma treatment plans.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials play a vital role in helping to advance new treatments for mesothelioma and provide benefits to patients. These research studies allow people with cancer to access emerging therapies that are not yet approved or available to the general public.
Several clinical trials are currently underway exploring novel approaches and improved combinations of existing therapies. And while there are no guarantees, participating in clinical trials gives mesothelioma patients hope for better outcomes. Some may even gain access to cutting-edge treatments that could potentially lead to improved prognosis and extended life expectancy.
In addition to potential therapeutic benefits, clinical trials also offer patients the opportunity to play an active role in moving cancer research forward. Their involvement and dedication to trials are key to establishing the safety and effectiveness of new therapies. This benefits future patients as much as themselves. Of course, potential risks need to be carefully weighed before enrolling, but many patients appreciate the chance to contribute to medical progress.
With multiple new clinical trials underway, mesothelioma patients have reason to be hopeful.
Multimodal Therapy
Current evidence suggests that a multimodal approach, combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, offers the best chance of extending life expectancy for eligible mesothelioma patients. Each component of multimodal therapy is designed to attack cancer cells in different ways in order to maximize effectiveness.
Patients diagnosed at an early stage may start with surgery to remove tumors, followed by chemotherapy to kill the remaining cancer cells. Radiation can also be added to help shrink tumors before or after surgery. The combination of these treatments allows them to complement each other. The addition of emerging immunotherapies adds another weapon to strengthen the body’s own defenses against cancer.
While the prognosis for malignant mesothelioma remains poor overall, a multimodal treatment approach provides hope. The goal is to develop optimal treatment regimens tailored to each patient that will give them the best chance for extended survival. No single therapy is sufficient to combat mesothelioma on its own. But by utilizing surgery, systemic chemotherapy, localized radiation, and immunotherapy together when possible, physicians aim to improve the prognosis for patients.
Conclusion
In summary, mesothelioma treatment includes a range of options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and participation in clinical trials. The customization of these interventions through multimodal therapy aims to address the unique needs of each patient. Despite advancements in treatment, mesothelioma poses a persistent challenge. Continued research offers hope for more effective therapies and improved life expectancy.
