Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening and confusing experience. It's important to remember that doctors can only guess at your lifespan.
The stage (extent of mesothelioma) and subtype are the most reliable indicators to determine your prognosis. The type of surgery that you undergo can also impact your outlook.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs, or chemotherapy are used to treat cancers and impede their spread. They can be used by themselves or in conjunction with a treatment program with surgery and radiation therapy also known as multimodal therapy. Doctors prescribe various chemotherapy drugs to mesothelioma sufferers. These are given in cycles, spread out over several weeks, with intervals of rest between. The typical mesothelioma treatment lasts for a few hours and may cause adverse effects like fatigue and nausea. These side effects are usually temporary and will improve with each treatment.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to obtain imaging scans of the abdomen or chest. The most commonly used imaging test is one called a CT scan (computerized Tomography) offers a three-dimensional image of the organs. Doctors can request a biopsy in order to obtain a sample of tissue for examination of mesothelioma. The sample of tissue can be examined under a microscope in order to determine the type of mesothelioma.
It could take years for doctors to recognize mesothelioma, as it is a rare condition. This is the reason why the medical community is looking for ways to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. One method is by measuring the biomarker found in blood called Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides which is elevated in people with mesothelioma.
A biopsy could be all that is needed to detect mesothelioma in its early stages. A biopsy isn't always required, since the symptoms of a patient may be similar to other diseases. A mesothelioma misdiagnosis can be costly and even fatal.
Combining surgery and chemotherapy in the late stages of mesothelioma can cure it. NYU Langone doctors, for instance, treat peritoneal cancer using a method known as cytoreductive surgical procedure with HIPEC (hyperthermic intratperitoneal chemotherapy). In this procedure, a machine injects chemotherapy drugs heated directly into the abdominal cavity immediately following surgical removal of visible cancerous tumors 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.
If a patient is able to undergo surgery depends on the type of mesothelioma that they have, the stage and the results of their biopsy. The prognosis for a patient is also affected by their age and health.
Radiation
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in mesothelium cells. This is a membrane that covers and protecting organs of the internal system. It is a malignant tumor that can grow (metastasize) to other organs of the body. The mesothelium consists of two layers that wrap around different organs, such as the stomach and lungs. Mesothelioma symptoms often mimic other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. After exposure to asbestos, symptoms can take as long as 50 years to manifest.
In addition to surgery and chemotherapy, radiation may also be used as a mesothelioma treatment. This kind of therapy makes use of high-energy rays and particles that kill cancerous cells however, not healthy cells. Radiation oncologists direct the radiation with special machines. This minimizes the risk of side effects and other complications that can result from treatment, including scarring of the chest's lining (radiation pneumonitis).
Patients with early-stage and late-stage msothelioma will have more success. The reason is that surgery can eliminate the cancerous tissue and improve the chances of survival. Many mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in later stages. In these instances surgeons try their best to treat the symptoms and help patients live longer.
Surgeons can assist by removing the lung's lining or abdomen where mesothelioma starts. They can also eliminate any fluid accumulation that creates symptoms. Mesothelioma specialists collaborate with patients to create multimodal treatment plans. This includes traditional methods such as chemotherapy as well as more recent ones like immunotherapy.
The location and cell type of mesothelioma can also affect a patient's prognosis. Some locations are more difficult to remove, such as the lung linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Experts in mesothelioma will recommend the best method to reduce the risk of recurrence, and improve the quality of life.
Mesothelioma research has made huge advancements in recent years with more treatment options now available than ever before. Finding a specialist for mesothelioma is among the best steps patients can take. A specialist can ensure that the patient access to surgical options and the latest approved treatments, including immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is diagnosed at advanced stages when it has already progressed. In these instances, treatment focuses on improving the symptoms and extending as long a time as is feasible. Palliative care is the name for this kind of treatment. It includes treatments like regular drainage of the accumulation of fluid in the chest (pleurodesis) and powerful painkillers.
Before undergoing any surgery doctors will evaluate the patient's health to ensure they're able to manage surgery and recovery. The evaluation includes physical examinations and imaging tests, such as X radiations and CT scanners. Doctors may recommend blood chemistry tests and heart function testing to check on the general health of the patient.
The kind of surgery a patient receives depends on their mesothelioma type. Epithelial mesothelioma can be more easily treated than sarcomatoid and mixed types. A biopsy can help to determine the mesothelioma type.
If the cancer has spread to the lungs, surgeons will perform lung-removal surgery, known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). They will remove a portion of the lining from the chest wall and lungs. This can improve breathing and decrease discomfort. When coupled with chemotherapy and radiation it can prolong the duration of life.
Some patients can develop mesothelioma within the peritoneum (the layer of fatty tissue that covers the abdominal organs). The mesothelioma may cause fluid to accumulate in the abdomen. This condition is known as the peritoneal effusion or ascites. Doctors may drain the fluid through a procedure called paracentesis, or place a tube into the abdomen to drain it regularly at home.
The pleura, which surrounds the diaphragm and lungs could be affected by mesothelioma as well. A mesothelioma specialist may recommend a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery to remove part mesothelioma lung cancer of the pleura and lymph glands in the chest. This can improve breathing and can even increase the lifespan.
Mesothelioma is an extremely complex cancer and, even after surgery, there's still a chance the tumors may recur. Mesothelioma specialists integrate surgery with other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. These can kill any mesothelioma-like cells that surgeons may have missed during the surgery.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority internal organs. Scientists have found that it develops because of several genetic mutations in the cells. Over time, these abnormal cell accumulate and multiply uncontrollably, eventually forming the form of a tumor. There are a variety of mesothelioma. It most commonly affects the lining around the lung (pleura), and less often, the lining in the abdomen (peritoneum).
When a person receives mesothelioma-related diagnosis doctors determine their life expectation based on the type of mesothelioma they have, its stage and overall health. However these estimates are just predictions and may change with new treatments.
Doctors have examined a variety of immunotherapy treatments for mesothelioma. These treatments target specific mesothelioma cell proteins and trigger an immune system.
Some of these drugs include pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and nivolumab. These are known as checkpoint inhibitors. They remove the protein molecules acting as an off switch for white blood cells to attack mesothelioma cells and allow the immune system to recognize and eliminate the cancer.
Other studies have utilized strategies to boost the immune system. These studies included injecting patients with interferon or GM CSF in order to stimulate the body's ability to produce its own antibodies against mesothelioma. However, these initial trials showed no or very few responses and were associated with high toxicity.
Surgery can improve the quality of life of those suffering from pleural mesothelioma by reducing discomfort, shortness of breath and the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The most popular procedure is a pleurectomy. This involves removing the affected lungs as well as a part of the pleura. A video-assisted procedure is a different option for surgery. This involves using a small tube to drain the fluid from the chest cavity.
Surgery can be beneficial for patients suffering from asbestosis peritoneal. If the cancer hasn't spread, a surgical removal of the abdominal lining and the surrounding structures may help reduce symptoms. Doctors may use a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. It is essential for patients who have mesothelioma, to seek out second opinions and speak with mesothelioma specialists regarding their options.