Mesothelioma Treatment OptionsYour mesothelioma treatment will be based on a variety of factors. Your cancer care team will discuss with you the most effective treatment options.Mesothelioma targeted therapies inhibit cancer cell growth and strip them of oxygen. They are often used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs.Doctors should be cautious when performing cytoreductive procedures for patients with epithelioid histology. However, the procedure can improve the chance of survival.ChemotherapyChemotherapy is the most common treatment for mesothelioma that can increase the chance of survival. It utilizes anti-cancer medications to kill mesothelioma and stop their growth. Typically, doctors inject chemotherapy. They can also administer it intravenously (through through a vein). Patients with pleural mesothelioma are typically treated with cisplatin and pemetrexed, or carboplatin. This is usually given every three weeks as part of a series of treatment cycles. During chemotherapy, patients will experience side effects that can vary in intensity. They may experience nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Most, if certainly not all of these side effects will subside after the treatment has ended.For peritoneal mesothelioma, chemotherapy is often delivered directly into the abdomen using a procedure called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy or HIPEC. This is typically performed in conjunction with surgery.It is important to talk with a specialist about all the treatment options available for mesothelioma. This can help people understand the risks, benefits, and possible adverse effects that can be associated with each treatment option. A mesothelioma doctor with a proven track record will have a lot of experience in treating mesothelioma. They'll be able to provide a lot of information. They'll be able answer any questions patients or their loved ones may have.It is crucial to find mesothelioma specialists since it is a rare disease. This will ensure that patients receive the best treatment possible.It may be worth seeking an alternative opinion if aren't sure about the treatment options your mesothelioma doctor recommends. You'll be more confident about the treatment strategy your doctor has laid out.Many people with mesothelioma are eligible for clinical trials to test new treatments. These trials are an excellent option for those who've exhausted all other options. If you're interested in taking part in a mesothelioma trial, speak to your doctor to see if you are eligible. For more information about mesothelioma clinical trials, go to our Clinical Trials page.Radiation TherapyMesothelioma spreads in a way that makes it difficult to eliminate it through surgery or other types of treatments. But there are a number of palliative treatments that can alleviate symptoms, such as pain. Some of these options are minimally invasive. Doctors can flush excess fluid out of the affected area. This alleviates pressure on the chest, lungs or stomach organs, and can reduce the pain.Chemotherapy is an alternative which makes use of drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancerous cells. Systemic chemotherapy works by moving throughout the body to destroy cancerous cells. Doctors may use systemic chemotherapy prior to mesothelioma surgeries (neoadjuvant therapy) to make them easier or after surgery to decrease the chance of repeat incidence.Radiation therapy, which makes use of radiation beams to eliminate mesothelioma tumors or slow their growth, can be used to treat both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. It can also assist in helping manage symptoms, such as chest discomfort and breathing difficulties in addition to eliminating cancerous cells. For patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, radiation is administered following the procedure known as cytoreduction that involves heated chemotherapy.In a cytoreduction procedure, surgeons remove the tumors from the abdomen. They then clean the abdominal cavity with a form of chemotherapy that is heated known as HIPEC. Radiation can be administered to the area by a doctor to ease symptoms and improves survival rates.Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stages 1 or 2 are candidates for the surgical removal of a portion from the pleura. The surgeons usually remove as much of the tumor as they can as well as any nearby tissues, including the diaphragm and the pericardium. Some centers provide chemotherapy that is heated during the procedure to eliminate any remaining tumors following surgery.Combining treatments is typically the most effective option for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The majority of doctors favor a multimodal treatment approach that includes chemotherapy, surgery, and sometimes radiation, together with immunotherapy. Many of these treatments are considered experimental and aren't yet approved by the FDA. Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits of these therapies. Be aware of the possible side effects such as fatigue, nausea and the risk of infection.SurgeryDoctors have a variety of options for pleural mesothelioma surgeries to remove cancerous tissues or improve symptoms. Mesothelioma is more common in the lung tissue (pleura) however, it can also begin in the the chest cavity or the tummy (peritoneum).Before the surgery the doctor will conduct a test to determine the stage of mesothelioma. This helps them choose the best treatment. The most common tests include physical examinations as well as chest X-rays and CT scans. Other tests can include blood tests or a biopsy to check the health of your organs.The biopsy procedure involves inserting a needle in the abdomen or chest area to collect fluid or tissue samples. These are analyzed under a microscope to determine whether they are mesothelioma-related cells. MRI can also be used by doctors to obtain images of mesothelioma cells that are not surgery.After the biopsy, specialists in mesothelioma are able to discuss the results of the biopsy with you. They might suggest a multimodal therapy plan. This is the most effective way to improve quality of life and prolong the duration of survival.In a multimodal approach to treatment, doctors mix various types of treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. They will design a custom treatment plan that will meet your needs and objectives. The doctor will also provide you with details on the treatment as well as possible side effects.Chemotherapy is a method of killing cancerous cells and stop them from dividing or growing. It is the most popular form of treatment for mesothelioma and is typically administered in conjunction with other treatments. Patients with mesothelioma should be aware of the side effects chemotherapy drugs can cause, which range from nausea and hair loss to vomiting and fatigue. Keep your doctor informed of any new prescription medications you are taking and any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you take.When deciding on a plan of treatment, you need to speak with your doctor about your goals. Many people find their mesothelioma treatment lasts far beyond the initial prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma patients have survived for decades after undergoing EPP, which is a major surgery to remove the affected lung. Others have survived for more than 10 years after receiving cytoreduction and HIPEC. This combination eliminates the most cancerous tissue possible.Treatment of SymptomsThe most common treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, such as the stage of the cancer (extent) and whether it can be resected, and the patient's health and preferences. Certain mesothelioma patients might opt to participate in clinical trials testing new treatments or dosages of existing ones. mesothelioma treatment center diagnosed with pleural mysothelioma have chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing. They also experience other symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, bloating and fatigue. These symptoms are caused by fluid buildup in the pleura. This can press against the chest and restrict airflow. In most cases, doctors can alleviate these symptoms by prescribing medication.A doctor will assess the patient who is suspected to have mesothelioma, and will order imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans. They may also examine the patient's blood or urine to determine if they have certain proteins that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also order an operation known as thoracentesis or paracentesis, to remove the fluid around the lungs to be examined further. In certain instances, they drain the fluid by the process known as pleurodesis, also known as decortication.Mesothelioma can spread to the lymph nodes as well as other parts of the body, and a doctor may order additional tests to determine how the disease has advanced. These tests are used to determine mesothelioma stages. A lower numeral indicates the mesothelioma is localized to the area surrounding the lungs, while a higher numeral indicates that it has spread.Many people with mesothelioma can enhance their quality of life with lifestyle adjustments. Patients can do things like make sure they eat well and exercise regularly. They can also consider non-pharmacological methods to control their symptoms, such as massage and physical therapy. Some people with mesothelioma have discovered that acupuncture can be beneficial in managing their pain. A support network can assist patients with their treatment and recovery. They can assist patients with transportation, meal preparation and other tasks. They can also provide emotional support.