Treating Pleural MesotheliomaThe Pleura is the lining of tissue that covers the lungs. It may also affect the tissues in your stomach (peritoneum).Doctors diagnose the condition using chest X-rays and other tests. They can take a sample of fluid (called thoracentesis) to look for cancerous cells.They may also provide you with chemotherapy before or after surgery. The most popular is the combination of pemetrexed and Cisplatin.SurgeryThe lining of the lung (pleura) is affected by mesothelioma of the pleural lining. Asbestos fibers can cause these cells to mutate and form tumors. These tumors can cause inflammation and swelling in the lungs. These symptoms can cause shortness of breath, coughing and other issues. Cancer can spread to other areas of the body.Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer. However there are pleural mesothelioma treatment options that can improve the chance of survival and quality of life. Patients should seek treatment at a mesothelioma treatment center that specializes in the cancer. They offer a variety of treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.If a patient is at an early stage of disease, doctors can remove both the tumor and surrounding tissue during the procedure. Doctors are likely to employ general anesthesia for the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, patients are taken to a regular room in a hospital to monitor and recuperation.Before surgery, doctors could examine a sample of fluid from the chest or abdomen for mesothelioma cells. They may also collect a biopsy during the operation. A surgeon can insert a tube in the chest or abdomen to take a tissue sample using special instruments. The samples will be analyzed to confirm the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma and the extent of the disease.The two most common procedures to treat mesothelioma of the pleura are extrapleural and pleurectomy with decortication. The surgeon will remove the lungs closest to mesothelioma tumors as well as the lung's lining or pleura. In certain instances, a surgeon may perform a P/D procedure, which leaves the lungs intact but removes the tumors and the pleura. This procedure is associated with a lower incidence of complications and a shorter time to recover.A patient's health history and the type of mesothelioma they have will determine the type of surgery they'll undergo. Doctors will also consider the stage of cancer (extent) and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs prior to deciding on the treatment. The TNM system of cancer staging is used by most doctors. Some doctors employ the Butchart and Brigham systems for staging cancer.ChemotherapyPleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent mesothelioma type is a disease that affects the wall of the chest and lungs. The symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. The condition has been linked with asbestos exposure. The tiny mineral fibers travel to the lungs, where they irritate the cells and cause them to grow out of control. The symptoms of cancer typically don't manifest until the disease is in an advanced stage. This is why it is important to get diagnosed as soon as you can.Mesothelioma treatment often involves improving symptoms or reducing the cancer to improve the quality of life. Patients can also receive chemotherapy drugs to stop the cancer from returning or spreading. In some instances patients receive chemotherapy on top of surgery or radiation. Multimodal therapy is the name used to describe this type of treatment.The chemotherapy drugs used to treat pleural mesothelioma were specifically designed to kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue. The most common treatment is pemetrexed, which is combined with carboplatin or cisplatin. Inhalation is used to deliver the chemical agent directly into the your pleural cavity. It is sometimes given on its own or before surgery to shrink tumors and increase the chance of survival for patients. It is also used in conjunction with surgery or radiation therapy to treat peritoneal cancer.The prognosis of a patient is based on the stage and type of pleural mesothelioma as well the personal and disease-related factors. A doctor will give an approximate 5-year survival rate. This compares the probability that a person will live for five years following their diagnosis with the likelihood that a person who has not been diagnosed with mesothelioma would survive that long. It is also important to remember that survival rates vary based on the kind and stage of mesothelioma. For instance, biphasic mesothelioma has a lower rate of survival than epithelioid mesothelioma. This is because biphasic mesothelioma typically contains a mixture of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types, which are more difficult to treat. However certain researchers have found that using a combination of both surgery and chemotherapy may prolong the life of a patient. Radiation therapy can be used to relieve symptoms and kill any remaining cancerous cells following surgery or chemotherapy.Radiation TherapyThe lung's lining is affected by pleural mesothelioma. The lining is comprised of two layers of tissue that surround the chest cavity and lungs. Exposure to asbestos causes the cells of this lining to multiply and mutate in an uncontrollable manner. This can result in cancerous tumors. Mesothelioma is more common in older men from military and working class backgrounds, however anyone exposed to asbestos may get the disease.The stage of the mesothelioma will be determined by the doctor after a diagnosis is established. The stage of the cancer is determined by the extent to which the tumors have spread and what parts of the body are affected. Doctors assign the mesothelioma stages an amount ranging from one to four. One is the most advanced stage, while four is the most advanced.If the mesothelioma is in the earliest stages, doctors can often treat it surgically. The surgeon will remove fluid out of the lungs to relieve chest pain and make breathing easier. The procedure can involve the removal of tissue from the lining around the lungs and chest (pleurectomy), or a more intensive surgery that removes all the lung tissue, as well as the heart's lining and diaphragm, as well as other parts.Radiation therapy can be used to treat mesothelioma. It can be used either prior to or after surgery in order to shrink tumors and decrease the risk of recurrence. It can also be used as a palliative to alleviate symptoms and enhance the quality of life.Immunotherapy is another option to strengthen the body's natural defenses against cancer. It is an effective treatment for pleural mesothelioma, and is currently undergoing further research.It is important to know that while mesothelioma is treatable with a variety of methods, it's much more difficult than other cancers to cure. Because of this, it is crucial to identify and treat mesothelioma as soon as you can. Mesothelioma specialists can provide patients with a a personalized treatment plan. This includes determining best treatment options and staging mesothelioma.Other OptionsStandard treatment for pleural cancer might not be enough for certain patients. Doctors can create a treatment plan that is tailored to each patient, which could include targeted treatment or immunotherapy.Multidisciplinary teams of doctors can create a treatment plan that will manage your symptoms and potentially prolong your lifespan. This includes doctors who are specialized in treating asbestos-related diseases as well as nurses dietitians, pharmacists and others.The multidisciplinary team will work with you on a biopsy. The procedure involves removing tissues or liquids for testing. A biopsy is the only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine what kind of cancer you suffer from.Mesothelioma can be classified as epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common and is more prone to growth than sarcomatoid mesothelioma which is much more severe and difficult to treat. Your mesothelioma team will use the results of your biopsy as well as other tests to determine what kind of surgery is required.There are several types of surgeries that are used to treat mesothelioma pleural. The surgeon will select the appropriate procedure according to the location of your tumors and how advanced your mesothelioma is. Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D), also known as a Pleuraplasty, is a procedure in which the pleura is removed but the lung lining remains intact. P/D is a less invasive procedure than extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes the entire lung. P/D may improve survival and reduce complications in some patients.The use of chemotherapy is an essential component of the mesothelioma treatment plan. It can prolong your life by protecting you from cancer. You could receive a combination of pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin or carboplatin every three weeks, up to six cycles of treatment. Certain doctors may add a medication called bevacizumab to the chemotherapy regimen. It is an anti-angiogenesis medication that works by blocking the development of blood vessels that supply the tumor with blood.Because pleural mesothelioma can take up to 20 years to develop, it is vital to consult your doctor regarding any previous exposure to asbestos. Your doctor can discuss your risk factors for developing pleural cancer and recommend screening options.