Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly stressful and confusing experience. When doctors determine the length of time you'll live, it's important to remember that these estimates are only guesses.
The most reliable factors that determine your prognosis are the stage (extent) of mesothelioma as well as the subtype. The type of surgery you receive also plays a role.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs, also known as cancer drugs are used to treat cancers and stop their growth. They are a 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 a series, spread over several weeks, with a period of rest in between. The typical mesothelioma treatment may last for a few minutes and cause nausea and fatigue. These side effects are temporary and will improve with each treatment.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is to obtain imaging scans of the chest or abdomen. The most commonly used imaging test is an CT (computerized tomography) scan, which provides three-dimensional images of organs and tissues. Doctors can also order an excision to collect a sample of the mesothelioma tissue for testing. The tissue sample 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. The medical community is working to discover ways to recognize mesothelioma sooner. One way to accomplish this is by analyzing the biomarker Soluble Mesothelin Related Peptides in the blood. This biomarker is elevated in mesothelioma patients.
When mesothelioma is in its infancy it is possible that a biopsy will be the only method to make a diagnosis. A biopsy is not always necessary, as the symptoms of a patient could be similar to other diseases. A mesothelioma mistaken diagnosis could be costly and deadly.
Combining chemotherapy and surgery in the final stages of mesothelioma can cure it. NYU Langone doctors, for instance, treat peritoneal cancer using a method called cytoreductive surgery, which is a procedure that is combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intratperitoneal chemotherapy). During the procedure the machine injects heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity after surgical removal of visible tumors as well as 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 mesothelioma type, the stage of the cancer as well as the results of the biopsy will determine whether a patient is suitable for surgery. In addition the patient's age and health status can impact their prognosis.
Radiation
Mesothelioma begins in cells of the mesothelium, a layer of skin that covers and protects organs within the body. It is a cancerous tumor that could expand to other parts of your body. The mesothelium is composed of two layers that wrap around various organs, such as the lungs and stomach. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. This could delay diagnosis or treatment. After exposure to asbestos, symptoms can take up to 50 years to manifest.
In addition to chemotherapy and surgery, radiation may also be employed as a mesothelioma treatment. This kind of therapy utilizes high-energy rays and particles to kill cancerous cells but not healthy cells. Radiation oncologists use special machines to direct the radiation where it is most needed. This helps reduce the adverse effects and complications that can result from the treatment. For example, scarring on the chest's lining (radiation pneumonia).
Patients with early-stage versus those with late-stage msothelioma have more success. The reason is that surgery can eliminate the cancerous tissue and increase the chances of survival. However, a lot of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed in later stages of the disease. In these instances surgeons work hard to treat the symptoms and help patients live longer.
Surgeons can aid in removing the lining of the lung or abdomen where mesothelioma starts. They can also remove any accumulation of fluids that cause symptoms. The specialists in mesothelioma collaborate with patients to design multimodal treatment plans. They can use traditional methods such as chemotherapy and newer methods like immunotherapy.
The prognosis for a patient is also influenced by the location and type of cells in mesothelioma. Certain areas are more difficult to remove like the lung linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Experts in mesothelioma will recommend the best treatment to reduce the chance of recurrence and improve the quality of life.
Mesothelioma research has made significant advances in recent times and there are more treatment options available than ever before. Finding a specialist for mesothelioma is one of the best decisions patients can take. A specialist can make sure that the patient has access the most up-to-date approved treatment options and surgical options including immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is diagnosed at advanced stages when it has already spread. In these cases, the treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and prolonging as long a life as possible. This type of treatment is called palliative care. This type of treatment includes powerful painkillers and treatments such as regular drainage of fluid accumulation in the chest.
Before any procedure doctors will take a close look at the health of the patient to make sure they are able to handle the procedure and recovery. This evaluation usually includes a physical examination and imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans. Doctors may also order blood test for chemistry or heart function to check the patient's overall health.
The type of surgery the patient undergoes is determined by their mesothelioma type. Epithelial mesothelioma can be more easily treated than sarcomatoid and mixed types. A biopsy can be used to identify the mesothelioma type.
If the cancer has progressed to the lungs doctors may undergo lung-removal surgery. This is known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). They will take out some of the linings of the chest wall and lung. This can improve breathing and reduce discomfort. When coupled with chemotherapy and radiation it can prolong the life expectancy.
In certain patients, mesothelioma could extend to the peritoneum which is the fatty tissue that covers the abdominal organs. The mesothelioma may cause fluid to accumulate in the abdomen. This condition is known as peritoneal effusion, also known as ascites. The fluid what is mesothelioma cancer can be removed by a physician using the procedure of paracentesis or inserting a tube in the abdomen to drain it at home.
The pleura, which surrounds the diaphragm and lungs can be affected by mesothelioma as well. 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 prolong the life duration.
Even after surgery, tumors could recur. Mesothelioma cancer is a complicated disease. This is why mesothelioma specialists combine surgery with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can eliminate any mesothelioma cell that the surgeons may have missed during the procedure.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that is formed in a thin layer of tissue covering the majority of internal organs. Researchers have discovered that it is caused by a series genetic mutations inside the cells. As time passes, these abnormal cells multiply and then expand beyond their limits, forming the form of a tumor. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, but it usually affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and less commonly the abdomen's lining (peritoneum).
If a patient is given mesothelioma diagnoses, doctors estimate their life expectation based on the type of mesothelioma they have, its stage and their overall health. However these estimates are just predictions and could change with new treatments.
Doctors have researched a variety of immunotherapy treatments for mesothelioma. These treatments target specific proteins on mesothelioma cells and trigger a response from the immune system.
Some of these drugs include pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and Nivolumab. These are known as "checkpoint inhibitors". They take out the protein molecules that function as an off switch for white blood cells to attack mesothelioma cancer cells and allow the immune system to recognize and eliminate the cancer.
Other studies have utilized strategies for vaccination to boost the immune system. These trials included injecting the patients with interferon or GM CSF to stimulate the body to produce its own antibodies against mesothelioma. These early trials were characterised by low or no response rates and high toxicity.
By reducing pain, shortness in breath and fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, surgery can increase the quality-of-life for people with pleural Msothelioma. The most common surgery is a pleurectomy, which involves removing the affected lungs as well as a portion of the pleura. A video-assisted procedure is another option for surgery. This involves using a small tubing to drain the fluid from the chest cavity.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may also benefit from surgery. If the cancer has not spread, a resection of the abdominal lining and the surrounding structures can help to reduce symptoms. Doctors may combine radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. It is crucial that patients suffering from mesothelioma get an additional opinion and talk to mesothelioma experts about their options.