Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma may be an overwhelming and complicated experience. When doctors estimate how long you have to live it is important to remember that these estimates are only guesses.
The stage (extent of mesothelioma) and subtype are the most reliable indicators to determine your prognosis. The kind of surgery you undergo is also a factor.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs, also referred to as chemotherapy, kill cancerous tumors and stop the spread of cancer. They are a part of a multimodal therapy program that includes surgery and radiation therapy. Doctors prescribe various chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma patients. They are administered in a series, spread over several weeks, with a period of rest between. The typical mesothelioma treatment may last for just a few minutes and cause nausea and fatigue. These side effects are temporary and improve with each treatment.
Abdomen scans or chest are needed to detect mesothelioma. The most commonly used imaging test is a CT (computerized tomography) scan, which gives an image of three dimensions of the organs and tissues. Doctors can also request an incision biopsy to collect a sample of the mesothelioma tissues to test. The tissue sample can then be examined under a microscope to determine the mesothelioma type.
It can take a long time for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma since it is a rare condition. This is the reason why the medical community is focusing on ways to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. One way to accomplish this is by analyzing the biomarker Soluble Mesothelin Related Peptides in blood. This biomarker is high in mesothelioma patients.
When mesothelioma is in its infancy, a biopsy may be the only method to determine the diagnosis. A biopsy isn't always required, as the symptoms of a patient may be similar to those of other illnesses. A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can be costly and deadly.
Combining surgery and chemotherapy in the last mesothelioma stages can treat it. For example, NYU Langone doctors treat mesothelioma of the peritoneal region using a procedure called cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). In this procedure, a machine injects heated chemotherapy medication directly into the abdominal cavity, immediately after surgical removal of visible cancerous tumors and tissue. This has helped to extend survival rates for peritoneal mesothelioma patients, which range from 38-92 months following the surgical/chemotherapy treatment combination.
The possibility of a patient receiving surgery is contingent on the type of mesothelioma that they have and the stage as well as the results of their biopsy. In addition the patient's age and health status can impact their prognosis.
Radiation
Mesothelioma begins in mesothelium cells. It is a membrane that covers and protecting organs of the internal system. It is a malignant tumour that could spread to other organs in your body. The mesothelium is made up of two layers that surround and wrap around various organs such as the stomach and lungs. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to those of other diseases like influenza or pneumonia. This can delay diagnosis or treatment. The symptoms may take between 10 and 50 years to show up after asbestos exposure.
Radiation therapy is a method to treat mesothelioma, in addition to chemo and surgery. This type of therapy utilizes high-energy rays and particles to kill cancerous cells but not healthy ones. Radiation oncologists direct the radiation with special machines. This reduces the side effects and complications that may result from the treatment. For instance, it can cause scarring on the tissue of your chest (radiation pneumonia).
Patients with early-stage mesothelioma have a better outlook than patients with mesothelioma that is in late-stage. The reason for this is that surgery can remove the cancerous tissue and improve survival rates. A lot of mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in later stages. In these instances surgeons attempt to treat the symptoms to allow patients to live longer.
Surgeons can remove the lining in the abdomen or lungs where mesothelioma starts. They can also get rid of any fluid accumulation that creates symptoms. Mesothelioma specialists collaborate with patients to design multimodal treatment plans. They can use traditional methods such as chemotherapy as well as more recent methods such as immunotherapy.
The prognosis of patients is also affected by the location and type of cells in mesothelioma. Certain locations are more difficult to eliminate like the lung linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Experts in mesothelioma can suggest the most effective treatment to decrease the chance of recurrence and improve the quality of life.
Mesothelioma research has made significant advancements in recent years, with more treatment options than ever before. Finding a specialist in mesothelioma is among the best steps a patient can make. A specialist can make sure that the patient has access the latest approved treatment options and surgical options such as immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in advanced stages in which it has already taken over other parts of the body. In these cases, the treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and prolonging as much time as is feasible. This kind of treatment is called palliative care. It includes treatments like regular drainage of fluid accumulation in the chest (pleurodesis) and powerful painkillers.
Before undergoing any surgery, doctors will carefully evaluate the patient's health to ensure they are able to handle surgery and recovery. The evaluation includes a physical examination and imaging tests, like X scans and CT scanners. Doctors can also order blood chemistry and heart function tests to check the health of the patient in general.
The type of surgery the patient has to undergo is determined by their mesothelioma type. Epithelial mesothelioma can be more easily treated than sarcomatoid and mixed types. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma.
If the cancer has spread into the lungs, doctors may perform extrapleural pneumonectomy, also known as EPP. They will remove a small portion of the lining from the lung wall and chest. This can improve breathing and ease discomfort. It also increases the lifespan when combined with chemotherapy and radiation.
In some patients, mesothelioma can extend to the peritoneum which is the fat tissue that protects the abdominal organs. The mesothelioma cells can then cause the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen which is a condition known as peritoneal effusion or ascites. Doctors can remove the fluid using paracentesis, a procedure that is known as a surgical procedure, or place a tube into the abdomen to drain it frequently at home.
The pleura, which surrounds the diaphragm and lungs can also be affected by mesothelioma. 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, tumors could recur. Mesothelioma cancer is a complicated disease. Mesothelioma specialists integrate surgery with other treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments can kill microscopic cells of mesothelioma that surgeons may have missed during surgery.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers most internal organs. Scientists have discovered that it is caused by a number of genetic mutations inside the cells. Over time, these abnormal cells develop out of control, forming an abnormality that is later diagnosed as a tumor. There are a variety of mesothelioma. It most commonly affects the lining around the lungs (pleura), and less frequently the abdominal lining (peritoneum).
When someone is given mesothelioma diagnoses doctors calculate their life expectancy based on the type of mesothelioma they have, its stage and their overall health. However, these estimates are merely estimates and could change as a result of new treatment options.
Doctors have researched a variety of immunotherapy treatments for mesothelioma. The drugs target certain proteins on the mesothelioma cell and triggering a response from the body's immune system.
Some of these drugs include pembrolizumab, ipilimumab and nivolumab. These are called "checkpoint inhibitors". They eliminate the protein molecules acting as an off switch for white blood cells to attack mesothelioma cell, allowing the immune system to recognize and kill the cancer.
Other studies have employed vaccination strategies to boost the immune system. These studies involved injecting patients with interferon or GMCSF to encourage the body to make its own antibodies against mesothelioma. However, these initial trials showed no or very few responses and were associated with high toxicity.
By decreasing what's mesothelioma cancer , shortness of breath and the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity, surgery can increase the quality-of-life for people with the pleural Msothelioma. The most commonly performed procedure is a pleurectomy, which involves removing the affected lungs and a portion of the pleura. Another option is a video-assisted option for surgery. This involves the use of a small tubing to drain the fluid from the chest cavity.
Surgery is beneficial for those suffering from peritoneal asbestosis. If the cancer is not yet spread the resection procedure could be performed on the lining and surrounding abdominal structures to alleviate symptoms. Doctors may use a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. It is crucial that patients with mesothelioma seek an additional opinion and talk to mesothelioma experts regarding their options.