Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells attack the mesothelium, or protective lining that surrounds many internal organs . Since the cancer is often discovered late, many mesothelioma treatments focus on improving the patients' quality of life. Those mesothelioma treatments that attempt to slow or remove the cancer growth are often aggressive in nature.
The following factors will help the doctor to determine the best course of mesothelioma treatment:
Stage and location of the cancer
Age of the patient
Patient's overall health
Potential risks and benefits of the mesothelioma treatment
Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments
Listed below are some of the more traditional mesothelioma treatments:
Surgery - a pneumonectomy or pleurectomy may be performed to remove diseased tissues
Radiation - may be performed in lieu of or alongside surgery to kill off cancerous or abnormal cells in a specific target area
Chemotherapy - a more aggressive form of treatment used to kill cancerous cells throughout the body
Palliative treatments - may be used to alleviate pain by draining excess fluid from the affected areas, or by various other methods
New and Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments
The National Cancer Institute continues to sponsor clinical trials that are designed to find new mesothelioma treatments and enhance existing ones. Many new and alternative mesothelioma treatments work in conjunction with traditional treatments. Included below are a variety of some new and alternative mesothelioma treatment options:
Immunotherapy
Photodynamic therapy
Intensity Modulated Radiation therapy
Gene therapy
New chemotherapy agents
Alternative therapies including acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, massage, etc.