Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is an overwhelming and confusing experience. It is important to keep in mind that doctors have no way of knowing at your lifespan.
The most reliable factors that determine your prognosis are the stage (extent) of mesothelioma as well as the subtype. The kind of surgery you undergo also plays a part.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs, or chemotherapy, destroy tumors, and impede their spread. They can be used as part of a multimodal therapy program that includes surgery and radiation therapy. Doctors prescribe a number of chemotherapy drugs to patients suffering from mesothelioma. They are administered in cycles, over several weeks, with a period of rest between. The typical mesothelioma chemotherapy lasts a few hours and can trigger side effects such as fatigue and nausea. These side effects are temporary and improve with each treatment cycle.
Abdomen scans or chest are needed to diagnose mesothelioma. The most frequently used imaging test is the CT (computerized tomography) scan, which provides a three-dimensional view of the organs and tissues. Doctors can also request an incision biopsy to collect a sample of the mesothelioma tissue for testing. The sample of tissue can be examined under a microscope to determine the type of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and it often takes years before doctors make the diagnosis. This is the reason why the medical community is trying to find ways to detect mesothelioma earlier. One method is by measuring the biomarker in the blood called Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides which is increased in patients with mesothelioma.
If mesothelioma is in its infancy, a biopsy may be the only option to establish a diagnosis. A biopsy is not always required, since the symptoms of a patient can be similar to other illnesses. A mesothelioma mistaken diagnosis could be costly and fatal.
In the final stages of mesothelioma combination of chemotherapy and surgery can lead to an effective cure. For example, NYU Langone doctors treat peritoneal mesothelioma with a technique known as cytoreductive surgery, and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). During this procedure, a machine pumps chemotherapy drugs heated directly into the abdominal cavity immediately after 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.
Whether a patient can receive surgery is contingent upon the type of mesothelioma that they have and the stage as well as the results of their biopsy. The prognosis for a patient can also be affected by their age and health.
Radiation
Mesothelioma begins in mesothelium cells. It is a membrane that covers and protecting internal organs. It is a malignant tumor that can spread (metastasize) to other organs of the 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 can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. This can delay diagnosis or treatment. The symptoms may take between 10 and 50 years to appear after asbestos exposure.
In addition to surgery and chemotherapy, radiation may also be used to treat mesothelioma. This type of therapy uses high energy rays and particle to kill cancerous cells but not healthy ones. Radiation oncologists direct the radiation using special machines. This reduces the side effects and complications that can result from the treatment. For instance, scarring of the chest's lining (radiation pneumonia).
Patients with early-stage mesothelioma have a better chance of survival than those with late-stage mesothelioma. The reason is that surgery can remove the cancerous tissue and increase the chances of survival. Many mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in later stages. In these cases surgeons work hard to manage the symptoms and assist patients live longer.
Surgeons are able to remove the lining of the abdomen or lungs where mesothelioma starts. They can also eliminate any fluid buildup that creates symptoms. Specialists in mesothelioma work with patients to develop multimodal treatment strategies. These include traditional methods like chemotherapy, as well as newer techniques like immunotherapy.
The location and the type of cell of mesothelioma is also a factor in a patient's prognosis. Certain areas are more difficult to get rid of, such as the linings of the lungs and abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma experts can recommend the most effective treatment options to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve quality of life.
In recent years, research on mesothelioma has advanced greatly. There are now more treatment options than before. Finding a specialist for mesothelioma is one of the best decisions a patient can make. A specialist can ensure that patients have access the latest approved procedures and surgical options, including immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is often diagnosed in advanced stages in which it has already spread to other parts of the body. In these instances, the treatment focuses on improving the symptoms and prolonging as much life as is possible. This kind of treatment is referred to as palliative care. This treatment is comprised of powerful painkillers as well as treatments such as regular drainage of fluid buildup in the chest.
Before any procedure doctors evaluate the health of the patient to determine if they are able to handle the procedure and recovering. The evaluation typically involves a physical examination as well as imaging tests such as Xrays and CT scans. Doctors may also request blood tests for chemistry and heart function to check the patient's overall health.
The type of mesothelioma that a patient is suffering from will determine the kind of surgery they will receive. Mixed and epithelial mesothelioma is more easily treated than sarcomatoid and mixed types. A biopsy can be used to determine the mesothelioma type.
If the cancer has spread to the lungs, doctors may undergo lung-removal surgery. This is known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). They will remove a small portion of the lining from the chest wall and lungs. This can improve breathing and ease pain. It can also increase life expectancy when combined with chemotherapy and radiation.
In certain patients, mesothelioma could extend to the peritoneum which is the fatty tissue that protects the abdominal organs. The mesothelioma could cause fluid to build up in the abdomen. This condition is called peritoneal effusion or ascites. The fluid can be drained by a doctor using a paracentesis procedure or by placing a tube into the abdomen for regular draining 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 may improve breathing, and can even increase the lifespan.
Mesothelioma is a complex cancer, and even after surgery, there's still a chance the tumors could return. Mesothelioma specialists integrate surgery with other treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can kill mesothelioma-like cells that surgeons may have missed during the surgery.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor forms in the form of a thin layer of tissue covering the majority of internal organs. Scientists have discovered that it is caused by a number of genetic mutations within the cells. Over time, these abnormal cells multiply and then expand beyond their limits, forming the form of a tumor. There are many types of mesothelioma, but it most often affects the lining around the lung (pleura) and less commonly the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
If a patient is given mesothelioma-related diagnosis, doctors estimate their life expectancy based on the type of mesothelioma, its stage and overall health. These estimates are just estimates and may change as a result of new treatments.
Doctors have studied a number of immunotherapy treatments to treat mesothelioma. These drugs work by targeting specific proteins on the mesothelioma cancer cell and then triggering an immune response from the immune system of the what causes mesothelioma lung cancer body.
These include Ipilimumab (also called checkpoint inhibitors), pembrolizumab (also called the drug nivolumab) and the drug nivolumab. These are known as checkpoint inhibitors. They eliminate the proteins that function as a switch to stop white blood cells from attacking mesothelioma. which allows the immune system to recognize and eliminate the cancer.
Other studies have utilized vaccination strategies to stimulate the immune system. These studies involved injecting patients with interferon or GM CSF to encourage the body to create its own antibodies against mesothelioma. However, these initial trials showed no or very few responses and were associated with high toxicity.
By reducing pain, shortness in breath, and the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, surgery can increase the quality of life of patients with the pleural Msothelioma. The most commonly performed procedure is a pleurectomy. This involves the removal of 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 tubing to drain the fluid from the chest cavity.
People suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma could also benefit from surgery. If the cancer has not yet spreading the resection procedure could be performed on the lining and surrounding structures of the abdomen to ease symptoms. Doctors may use a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. It is important that those who suffer from mesothelioma obtain a second opinion and speak to mesothelioma specialists about their options.