Asbestos Cancer Treatment Mesothelioma Prognosis
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of that exposure, there are many treatment options. The right choice and the ultimate prognosis related to overcoming that cancer will depend upon a number of factors, including you (or your loved one's) overall health and willingness to undergo various procedures, as well as to how extensive the mesothelioma is. Some patients choose to fight mesothelioma aggressively. Others choose to pursue treatment options that minimize the amount of discomfort. Whatever you finally determine the right choice of treatment is for your needs, the fact is that while many mesothelioma victims do succumb to this devestating disease, many find an ultimately positive prognosis as well.
PROPER AND TIMELY DIAGNOSIS
Because cancer of any kind can be severely debilitating, and asbestos related diseases so often affect an individual's ability to breathe and function on a daily basis, the most important issue to recognize is that the sooner a proper diagnosis and resulting treatment plan can be made, the better your hopes for a positive prognosis as well as your increasing chances for a higher quality of life along the way.
PRIMARY MESOTHELIOMA TREATMENT OPTIONS
The primary treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy and radiation are often used in conjunction after surgery, if needed. While this treatment rarely eradicates the mesothelioma cancer cells completely, it can improve the length and quality of life. Clinical trails of experimental mesothelioma treatments are also being conducted.
CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT
Because surgery by itself is not always successful in removing mesothelioma, chemotherapy is often implemented in addition to or in lieu of surgery. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy can often slow or even stop the growth of the cancer cells through the use of specialized drugs. The specific type of drugs, the amounts and frequency required, and whether the chemotherapy is used by itself or in conjunction with other cancer treatment modalities depends on the severity or extent of the mesothelioma as well as other factors regarding the health and overall strength of the mesothelioma patient. When used in the treatment of mesothelioma, chemotherapy can be administered at home, through visit's to a doctor's office, or during a stay in a hospital or cancer treatment center.
RADIATION THERAPY TREATMENT
Radiation therapy is a form of treatment that can reduce the size of or completely eliminate cancer cells and tumors. According to the National Cancer Institute, about half of all cancer patients receive some form of radiation treatment in conjunction with other forms of cancer treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy. In the treatment of cancer, various types of radiation therapy can include:
External radiation therapy -usually given on an outpatient basis
Internal radiation therapy-which is used for internal localized irradiation of the cancer
Systemic radiation therapy-usually administered orally or through injection Because radiation therapy comes in so many forms, and many factors need to be considered when determining not only which form but what dosage, frequency and complimentary solutions need to be implemented, it is vital for mesothelioma patients to have their doctor establish a treatment plan that fits with their unique situaiton or circumstances. Your doctor will work with an entire treatment team in determining the plan of action for you, and will discuss the many options available with you so that together you can agree on the best course of action.
TREATMENT THROUGH SURGERY
Sometimes an oncologist will determine that surgery is required in the mesothelioma treatment process. When this is the case, your doctor or specialist will advise you on what you can expect to experience, and provide you with a comprehensive list of facts, preperation requirements, and considerations that you'll need to know beforehand. The doctor will work closely with a team of specialists to help ensure the best possible outcome of the surgery, and will work with you to establish an after-care plan as well.
MESOTHELIOMA TREATMENT - FUTURE POTENTIAL
As clinical trials gain positive results, new treatments for mesothelioma occassionally come along, as was the case in 2004, when a new form of chemotherapy, specifically developed for the treatment of mesothelioma, was approved by the FDA. Called pemetrexed disodium, it goes by the name of Alimta, and is offered by Eli Lilly. Learn more about this mesothelioma treatment at OncoLink.
CLINICAL TRIALS - HOPE ON THE HORIZON
Because there are quite often several clinical trials occurring simultaneously, we hold onto the hope that mesothelioma patients will have better and better chances at a positive prognosis. Many sources provide information on currently available clinical trials. Typically, information can be found directly through visiting one of the many cancer treatment center's web sites such as the web site for the University of Pennsylvania. Alternatively, you can visit the U.S. Government's National Clinical trials web site where a list of current trials is made available and you can see whether a particular clinical trial is presently recruiting participation.
The web site is ClinicalTrials.gov. As they relate to cancer, clinical trials are sometimes also referred to as cancer treatment studies. While you can benefit from researching clinical trial options on your own, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor or specialist as you work toward combatting and hopefully overcoming mesothelioma. Quite often doctors who specialize in mesothelioma and other forms of asbestos related diseases know of specific clinical trials that you might not be aware of, or they may be in a position to recommend alternative treatments.
TREATMENT CENTERS AND DOCTORS
Any choice you make should be based on sound medical information and a thorough understanding of your options. There are several treatment center options (including National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Care Centers) and specialists - doctors, surgeons, researchers and facilities specializing in the treatment and care of mesothelioma victims, conducting clinical trials related to mesothelioma treatment, and providing support to asbestos cancer patients families that are located throughout the United States who are aware of the latest medical treatments available for mesothelioma patients.
