Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?Being diagnosed with mesothelioma may be an overwhelming and difficult experience. It is important to keep in mind that doctors are only able to guess at your life expectancy.The stage (extent of mesothelioma) and subtype are the most reliable variables to determine your prognosis. The type of surgery you receive can also have an impact.ChemotherapyCancer drugs, or chemotherapy are used to treat cancers and prevent their spread. They can be used by themselves or as part of a combination treatment plan that includes surgery and radiation therapy, known as multimodal therapy. Doctors prescribe a number of chemotherapy drugs to mesothelioma sufferers. They are administered in cycles, spread out over several weeks, with a period of rest in between. The typical mesothelioma treatment lasts for about an hour and can trigger side effects such as nausea and fatigue. These side effects are temporary and will improve with each treatment cycle.Imaging scans of the abdomen or chest are needed for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The most common imaging test is the CT (computerized tomography) scan, which offers three-dimensional images of organs and tissues. Doctors can order an examination to obtain a sample of tissue for testing of mesothelioma. The tissue sample can then be examined under a microscope in order to determine the type of mesothelioma.It could take years for doctors to recognize mesothelioma, as it is a rare disease. The medical community is trying to find ways to diagnose mesothelioma sooner. One method to do this is by measuring a biomarker called Soluble Mesothelin Related Peptides in the blood. This biomarker is elevated in mesothelioma patients.If mesothelioma is in its early stages, a biopsy may be the only option to establish a diagnosis. However it isn't always required, as a patient's symptoms can be similar to symptoms of a number of illnesses. A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma could be costly and fatal.Combining chemotherapy and surgery in the late mesothelioma stages can treat it. NYU Langone doctors, for example, treat peritoneal cancer by using a procedure known as cytoreductive surgical procedure with HIPEC (hyperthermic intratperitoneal chemotherapy). In the course of treatment it is injected by a machine chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity after surgical removal of visible 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 as well as the stage and results of their biopsy. In addition the patient's age and health status can impact their prognosis.RadiationMesothelioma begins in mesothelium cells. It is a membrane that covers and protecting internal organs. It is a malignant tumor that can expand to other organs in your body. The mesothelium consists of two layers that wrap around various organs, including the stomach and lungs. Mesothelioma symptoms are often akin to other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. After exposure to asbestos symptoms can take up to 50 years to show up.Radiation therapy is a method to treat mesothelioma in addition to chemo and surgery. This type of therapy uses high energy rays and particle to kill cancerous cells but not healthy ones. Radiation oncologists use special machines to direct the radiation where it's needed most. This minimizes the negative effects and complications that could result from the treatment. For instance, scarring of the tissue of your chest (radiation pneumonia).Patients with early-stage mesothelioma have a better outlook than those with late-stage mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that surgery can remove cancerous tissues, which improves survival rates. Many mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in later stages. In these instances, surgeons try to treat the symptoms to help patients live longer.Surgeons are able remove the lining from the abdomen or lungs where the mesothelioma begins. They can also get rid of any accumulation of fluid that causes symptoms. Mesothelioma specialists work with patients to design multimodal treatment plans. This includes traditional methods like chemotherapy and newer methods like immunotherapy.The prognosis of patients is also affected by the condition and type of cells in mesothelioma. Certain locations are more difficult to get rid of like the lung linings and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma experts can advise on the most effective treatments to decrease the risk of recurrence and improve quality of life.Mesothelioma research has made huge advancements in recent years, with more treatment options now available than ever before. Finding a specialist for mesothelioma is one of the best decisions patients can take. A specialist can guarantee patients access to surgical options as well as the most up-to-date treatments, including immunotherapy.SurgeryMesothelioma is diagnosed at an advanced stage when it has already spread. In these instances treatment is focused on reducing symptoms and extending life as long as it is possible. This kind of treatment is referred to as palliative care. It includes treatments like regular drainage of the accumulation of fluid in the chest (pleurodesis) and powerful painkillers.Before undergoing any surgery doctors will evaluate the health of the patient to make sure they are able to handle surgery and recovery. This usually involves a physical examination as well as imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans. Doctors may order blood chemistry tests as well as heart function tests to determine the general health of the patient.The type of mesothelioma a patient has will determine the type of surgery they receive. Mixed and epithelial mesothelioma are more manageable than mixed or sarcomatoid types. A biopsy can be used to identify the type of mesothelioma.If the cancer has spread to the lungs, doctors will undergo lung-removal surgery. This is known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). They will remove a portion of the lining of the chest wall and lung. This can improve the breathing and ease the pain. When coupled with chemotherapy and radiation, it can extend the life expectancy.Some patients develop mesothelioma in the peritoneum (the layer of fatty tissue that surrounds the abdominal organs). The mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up in the abdomen. This condition is called peritoneal effusion, also known as ascites. Doctors may remove the fluid using paracentesis, a procedure that is known as a surgical procedure, or insert a tube into the abdomen to drain it regularly at home.Mesothelioma cells may also expand to the pleura which is the lung's protective layer and diaphragm. 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 even extend life expectancy. mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is a complicated cancer and, even after surgery, there is still a chance the tumors could return. This is why mesothelioma specialists combine surgery with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. They can kill any mesothelioma-like cells that surgeons may have missed during surgery.ImmunotherapyMesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. Scientists have discovered that it is caused by a series of genetic mutations in the cells. As time passes, these abnormal cells accumulate and expand beyond their limits leading to the formation of a tumor. There are many types of mesothelioma. It typically affects the lining that surrounds the lung (pleura), and less frequently, the abdomen's lining (peritoneum).If a patient is given mesothelioma diagnoses, doctors estimate their life expectancy based on the type of mesothelioma they have, its stage and their overall health. However these estimates are just estimates and could change as a result of new treatment options.Doctors have examined a variety of immunotherapy treatment options for mesothelioma. The drugs target certain proteins on the mesothelioma cancer cell and then triggering an immune response from the immune system of the body.Some of these drugs include pembrolizumab, ipilimumab and the drug nivolumab. These are called checkpoint inhibitors. They take out the protein molecules that act 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 used strategies for vaccination to boost the immune system. These studies included injecting patients with interferon or GM CSF to stimulate the body to create its own antibodies against mesothelioma. These early trials were characterized by low or no response rates and high toxicities.Surgery can improve the quality of life for patients with pleural mesothelioma, by decreasing the pain shortness of breath, pain and the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The most popular procedure is a pleurectomy, which involves removing the affected lungs as well as a part of the pleura. A video-assisted procedure is another option for surgery. This involves using a small tube to drain fluid from the chest cavity.Surgery can be beneficial to people with asbestosis peritoneal. If the cancer has not spread, a resection of the lining of the abdomen and the surrounding structures may help to reduce symptoms. Doctors may combine radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. It is crucial for patients who have mesothelioma, to seek out second opinions and speak with mesothelioma specialists regarding their options.