Is Mesothelioma Cancer Curable?
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma may be an overwhelming and complicated experience. When doctors determine how long you have to live it's important to keep in mind that these estimates are just estimates.
The most reliable variables that determine your prognosis are the stage (extent) of your mesothelioma and the subtype. The type of surgery that you undergo can also affect your prognosis.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs, also referred to as chemotherapy, eliminate cancerous tumors and stop them from spreading. They are a part of a multimodal therapy program that includes surgery as well as radiation therapy. Doctors prescribe a variety of chemotherapy drugs to mesothelioma sufferers. These are given in cycles, spread out over several weeks, with intervals of rest between. The typical mesothelioma chemotherapy lasts for a few hours and may cause negative side effects, such as nausea and fatigue. These side effects are temporary and improve with each treatment.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is obtaining imaging scans of the chest or abdomen. The most commonly used imaging test is a CT scan (computerized Tomography), provides a three-dimensional image of the organs. Doctors may request biopsy to obtain a sample of tissue for testing of mesothelioma. The tissue sample can be viewed under a microscope to determine the kind of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare illness that can take several years before doctors are able to make the diagnosis. This is why the medical community is looking for ways to identify mesothelioma earlier. One method is to measure the biomarker found in blood called Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides, which is increased in patients with mesothelioma.
When mesothelioma is in its early stages, a biopsy may be the only procedure needed to make a diagnosis. A biopsy is not always required, as the symptoms of a patient could be similar to those of other illnesses. A mesothelioma mistaken diagnosis could be costly and deadly.
In the late stages of mesothelioma combination of chemotherapy and surgery could lead to an effective cure. NYU Langone doctors, for instance, treat peritoneal cancer using a method known as cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intratperitoneal chemotherapy). In this procedure, a machine pumps chemotherapy drugs heated directly into the abdominal cavity immediately after surgical removal of cancerous tumors visible and 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, and the results from the biopsy will determine whether a patient is able for surgery. In addition the patient's age and health status can affect their prognosis.
Radiation
Mesothelioma develops in cells in the mesothelium membrane that protects and covers organs within the body. It is malignant tumor that could spread (metastasize) to other organs of the body. The mesothelium is composed of two layers that wrap around and surround different organs, including the stomach and lungs. Mesothelioma symptoms often mimic other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. After asbestos exposure symptoms can take as long as 50 years to show up.
Radiation can be used to treat mesothelioma, in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. This type of therapy uses high energy rays and particle to kill cancerous cells but not healthy ones. Radiation oncologists direct the radiation with special machines. This reduces side effects and other problems that may result from treatment, including scarring of the lining of the chest (radiation pneumonitis).
Patients with mesothelioma that is in its early stages have a better outlook than those who have mesothelioma in late-stage. The reason for this is that surgery can remove the cancerous tissue and improve survival rates. However, many mesothelioma sufferers are diagnosed at later stages of the disease. In these cases surgeons attempt to address the symptoms to help is mesothelioma a lung cancer patients live longer.
Surgeons can aid in removing the lung's lining or abdomen, where mesothelioma begins. They can also eliminate any accumulation of fluids that cause symptoms. Mesothelioma specialists work with patients to develop multimodal treatment plans. This includes traditional methods like chemotherapy and newer methods like immunotherapy.
The location and cell type of mesothelioma can also affect a patient's prognosis. Certain locations are more difficult to get rid of, such as the lung linings as well as the abdominal cavity. Experts in mesothelioma can suggest the best method to reduce the risk 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 steps a patient can make. A specialist can ensure the patient has access to surgical options and most recent approved treatments, such as immunotherapy.
Surgery
Mesothelioma can be detected in advanced stages when it has already progressed. In these instances, treatment focuses on improving symptoms and prolonging the life of patients for as long as it is possible. Palliative care is the term used to describe the process for this kind of treatment. It includes treatments such as regular draining of fluid build-up in the chest (pleurodesis) and powerful painkillers.
Before undergoing any surgery doctors will take a close look at the health of the patient to make sure they are able to handle surgery and recovery. This assessment involves an examination of the body and imaging tests, such as X scans and CT scanners. Doctors may also order blood tests for chemistry and heart function to assess the patient's overall health.
The kind of surgery the patient has to undergo is determined by their mesothelioma kind. Epithelial mesothelioma is more easily treated than sarcomatoid and mixed types. A biopsy can help identify the mesothelioma type.
If the cancer has spread into the lungs, doctors could perform extrapleural pneumonectomy, which is also known as EPP. They will remove a part of the lining from the lung and chest wall. This can improve breathing and reduce pain. When combined with chemotherapy and radiation it can prolong the life expectancy.
In certain patients, mesothelioma could extend to the peritoneum which is the layer of fat tissue that covers the abdominal organs. The mesothelioma cell can cause the accumulation of abdominal fluid and peritoneal effusion, also known as ascites. Doctors can drain the fluid through the procedure known as paracentesis or put a tube in the abdomen to drain it frequently at home.
The pleura that covers the diaphragm as well as the lungs may 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 even extend life expectancy.
After surgery, tumors could recur. Mesothelioma cancer is a complex disease. This is why mesothelioma specialists combine surgery with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments can kill any mesothelioma-like cells that the surgeons may have missed during the procedure.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a result of the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority internal organs. Researchers have discovered that it is caused by a series genetic mutations inside the cells. As time passes, the abnormal cells accumulate and grow out of control, forming an abnormality that is later diagnosed as a tumor. There are a variety of mesothelioma. However, it usually affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and, less frequently, the abdomen's lining (peritoneum).
If a patient is given a mesothelioma diagnosis, doctors estimate their life potential based on the kind of mesothelioma, its stage, and their overall health. However these estimates are just estimates and could change as a result of new treatment options.
Doctors have researched a variety of immunotherapy treatments for mesothelioma. These drugs target certain mesothelioma-specific proteins and trigger an immune system.
These include ipilimumab (also known as checkpoint inhibitors) and pembrolizumab (also called the drug nivolumab) and the drug nivolumab. These are called "checkpoint inhibitors". They take away the proteins that function as a switch to prevent white blood cells from attacking mesothelioma, which allows the immune system to recognize and eliminate the cancer.
Other studies have utilized vaccination strategies to stimulate the immune system. These trials involved injecting patients with interferon and GM CSF in order to encourage their bodies to create antibodies against mesothelioma. These early trials were characterised by low or no response rates and high toxicity.
Surgery can improve the quality of life for people with pleural mesothelioma by reducing the pain, shortness of breath and fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The most common surgery is a pleurectomy. It involves the removal of the affected lung as well as a part of the pleura. Another option for surgery is a video-assisted thoracoscopic procedure that requires a small tube to eliminate the fluid from the chest cavity.
Surgery can be beneficial for patients suffering from asbestosis peritoneal. If the cancer is not yet spreading, a resection may be performed on the lining and surrounding structures of the abdomen to alleviate symptoms. Doctors may use a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. It is important for those suffering from mesothelioma to get second opinions and talk to mesothelioma specialists regarding their options.