Top Mesothelioma Treatment Options To Consider
Top Mesothelioma Treatment Options To Consider: Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that originates in the lining of lungs, abdomen and heart. Asbestos is the culprit behind mesothelioma and people who are continuously exposed to asbestos are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma.
Although it is a rare type of cancer, it’s prognosis is not very encouraging as there is no definitive cure for it, as yet. Depending on the tumor size, location and metastasis, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are utilized. That said, scientists and researchers are working on a new electrical field-based mesothelioma treatment and its initial results have been promising.
Here we share a few details regarding treatment for mesothelioma.
Surgery
Surgery is the standard treatment option for mesothelioma. There are two types of procedures that are commonly utilized depending on the tumor size, location and the extent of its spread.
- Extrapleuralpneumectomy (EPP) is an extensive procedure that involves removal of the affected lung, its lining and the diaphragm. The chances of tumor removal are better with this type of procedure but loss of a lung impairs a patient’s stamina.
- Pleurectomy is a conservative procedure where the lining of the lungs, heart and chest are removed and the lungs are spared. It provides the same benefits as EPP, with fewer complications.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to slow down cancer progress by either killing the rapidly dividing cancer cells or shrinking the tumor. The drugs are generally delivered via IV or may be taken in the form of pills. Chemotherapy prior to surgery shrinks the tumor and makes it easier to target or remove. Post-surgery, chemotherapy helps in getting rid of any left-over cancer cells in the body.
Radiotherapy
Just like chemotherapy, radiotherapy is used to slow down cancer progress but it is a relatively painless outpatient procedure. High-energy rays are used to damage the DNA of cancer cells, halting their progress.
A New Treatment on the Horizon
Scientists are working on a new electrical field-based mesothelioma treatment and it has shown some promising results. In this treatment, alternating electrical fields are utilized to destabilize proteins involved in cellular division and disrupting mesothelioma progress.
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