Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma TreatmentThe treatment for pleural mesothelioma depends on the stage and whether or not the tumor is resectable (can be removed by surgery). Doctors also take into consideration a patient's health and whether the cancer has returned after previous treatments.Immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) aid immune cells identify and destroy mesothelioma cell. Clinical trials offer other immunotherapies.Treatment OptionsNew treatment options continue improving the outlook of patients with mesothelioma. These treatments can extend the life of patients and ease symptoms such as pain.Mesothelioma specialists can develop an individual treatment plan that incorporates various types of treatments for each patient. Many mesothelioma patients are also involved in clinical trials to test new therapies. They are usually offered by cancer centers that treat mesothelioma.Surgery is the most effective mesothelioma treatment option because it directly removes tumors. Doctors can use various surgical techniques to treat pleural mesothelioma. One procedure, called extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), involves removing the lining around the lung and a piece of the diaphragm and pericardium. Doctors may also remove other organs if necessary.Chemotherapy is a method of killing cancer cells and prevent the growth or spread of cancerous cells. This kind of therapy can be administered before or after surgery, as well as during or following it. In some instances doctors may combine chemotherapy with radiation or other procedures.Radiation therapy is a treatment that can lessen pain by shrinking tumors that press on bones, nerves, or major blood vessels. It is possible to administer it prior to or after EPP surgery. Doctors can also administer radiation after a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery as an alternative to more invasive procedures.Certain patients respond to immunotherapy with interleukin-2. The antibody IL-2 works against malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. It can be injected into the chest cavity, or administered via an intravenous line (IV).Palliative care treatment is that is designed to help patients feel better and ease mesothelioma-related side effects and its treatment. It may include medication to treat pain as well as other problems like nausea and vomiting. It can also involve alternative treatments like acupuncture, yoga and meditation.ChemotherapyChemotherapy is a type of systemic treatment that employs cancer-killing drugs to stop the growth and spread of tumors. Patients typically receive chemotherapy drugs in combination like cisplatin or pemetrexed, which work together to improve effectiveness and outcomes. These medications may be given either prior to, or during or following surgery (neoadjuvant), or in addition to surgery (adjuvant).Based on the stage of your mesothelioma and other health factors, doctors will recommend different treatments. It is essential to discuss all of your options with your physician. This is referred to as shared decision making. It allows you and your physician to choose an appropriate treatment plan that is compatible with the goals of your care.Your doctor will perform the biopsy to determine the stage of your mesothelioma. A physician will insert a ultra-thin tube into your chest or abdomen, and then make use of special tools to collect tissues samples. The sample is then examined to determine if it has cancerous cells.Pleural mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers reach the lungs and inflame the cells. Mesothelial cells then mutate and develop into tumors. A biopsy is the only way to determine if you have mesothelioma.If your mesothelioma of the pleural is in its initial stages, surgery can improve your prognosis. There are two surgical options for lung cancer: extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). In EPP, the surgeons remove the affected lung, and occasionally part or all the diaphragm. P/D surgery entails the removal of the pleura and, in many cases, parts of the pericardium.A similar surgical procedure can also be used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma. Immunotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be beneficial to patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural that is not resectable. Combining ipilimumab and nivolumab, also known as Opdivo and Yervoy together with conventional mesothelioma therapy can increase the chance of survival.A new emerging mesothelioma treatment is epigenetic therapy. It aims to reverse asbestos-related damage and restore normal DNA expression. The drug tazemetostat is currently in clinical trials in the second phase and targets BAP1 enzymes that are involved in epigenetic regulation. This is an effective treatment for patients suffering from mesothelioma recurrence.RadiationRadiation can reduce symptoms and prolong the life span of the patient by shrinking tumors that relieve the pressure on the lungs. Mesothelioma specialists use several types of radiation treatment. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) is one option. It utilizes multiple beams of radiation to target the cancerous tissue in different angles. Doctors can also use intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which targets specific regions of the tumor and reduces exposure to healthy tissue surrounding it.Immunotherapy can enhance the effects of conventional treatments. This type of treatment boosts the patient's natural defences against mesothelioma and may decrease the chance of recurrence. It is available through clinical trials or as an adjunct to conventional mesothelioma treatments. Two immunotherapy drugs, Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab), were approved by the FDA in 2020 to treat pleural mesothelioma. Additional immunotherapy drugs are promising in clinical trials.Surgery can eliminate mesothelioma, and reduce symptoms. For pleural mesothelioma surgery, surgeons usually perform a procedure referred to as pleurectomy and decortication, or P/D. The lungs are not affected by P/D, which eliminates only the pleura where the majority cancer cells are located. It is most effective in early-stage mesothelioma and is sometimes combined with chemotherapy before or after surgery.Doctors can drain the fluid from the chest through an easier procedure to relieve breathing problems caused by excessive fluid. They can also inject medicine into the chest to stop the mesothelioma fluid from accumulating (pleurodesis).Palliative mesothelioma treatment isn't an effective cure, but it can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Patients suffering from mesothelioma must discuss their treatment goals and expectations with a specialist.Mesothelioma specialist doctors can provide an extensive mesothelioma treatment program. They will analyze the most recent research and your medical background to develop a treatment plan that will allow you to live longer and reduce your symptoms. Your mesothelioma expert will work with other healthcare professionals, like physicians assistants, nurses and social professionals, to ensure you receive the highest quality treatment. A mesothelioma care team can also suggest clinical trials to test new treatments.SurgeryIf mesothelioma isn't spreading, the surgeon can remove the tumor to alleviate symptoms. The majority of mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in later stages that is when the cancer is more advanced and cannot be removed through surgery. The goal is to control symptoms and extend survival.Your doctor might suggest a variety of treatments to treat mesothelioma pleural. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are all options for treatment. mesothelioma va treatment for treatment is immunotherapy can boost a patient's immune system to help fight mesothelioma. These treatments may extend life and improve quality of life but they aren't able to eliminate the disease.The doctor will take a tissue sample and test it for cancerous cells in order to diagnose pleural msothelioma. The sample will be taken through a biopsy or by another procedure like bronchoscopy or video-assisted surgery (VATS). A doctor may perform lung function tests to determine the capacity to breathe or an x-ray of the chest to see how well the lungs work.If your doctor has confirmed that you are suffering from pleural msothelioma they will determine the stage of cancer according to the location and other aspects. The stages are identified by Roman numerals. One is the least advanced stage, and four is the most advanced.The stage of a pleural tumor determines whether it can be surgically treated. A pleural mesothelioma in stage I or II is most curable, as it hasn't yet spread beyond the pleura.Doctors may elect to perform surgery if you have mesothelioma at an advanced stage. They can either perform an extrapleural lung pneumonectomy (EPP) in which the entire lung is removed or a pleurectomy and decortication (P/D) which removes only the visible tumor as well as the pleura that is diseased.It is likely that you will spend some time in the hospital following surgery. Your nurses will administer painkillers to help you feel comfortable in the event that you feel dizzy or confused after the anesthesia has worn off. If you are staying overnight the patient will be moved into a standard hospital bed. Otherwise, you will be monitored in the outpatient facility until the time you return home.