MesotheliomaMesothelioma Treatments:
The doctors pursue several treatment options when confronted with mesothelioma. Radiation treatments, surgery, and chemotherapy have been the traditional options for stemming the growth of cancerous cells, but doctors dealing with mesothelioma have had to develop innovative plans of attack to combat this deadly condition.
1.Surgery for Mesothelioma:- Pleurectomy/decortication
- Pneumonectomy
- Thoracentesis
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy
For patients suffering from peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, surgery generally involves similar procedures as pleural, such as tissue removal, but as they are much rarer conditions surgery is generally less effective.
2. Radiation Treatments for Mesothelioma:Radiation treatments relieves a great deal of pain, and victims of pleural mesothelioma suffer reduced instances of shortness of breath. Unfortunately, radiation treatment cannot kill all of the cancerous cells without causing significant damage to the patient.
3. Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma:Chemotherapy involves one or more anti-cancer drugs taken either in pill form, intravenously, or, in the case of pleural mesothelioma, injected directly into the lungs. These drugs disrupt the growth of cancerous cells,
New Treatments for Mesothelioma:New treatments such as photodynamic, angiogenesis, and gene therapy provide new hope for mesothelioma sufferers everywhere. Doctors choose a course of action based on the stage and location of the cancer, and if discovered early enough they can prolong the life of the sufferer, but sadly cannot cure mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, like all other types of cancer, is incurable. Medical science has made remarkable strides in diagnosing and treating malignancies, but there is currently no way to completely erradicate it.
Cancer is the mutation of a cell or a group of cells that grow uncontrollably and invade healthy ones, causing cell death. In areas where cells replicate rapidly, such as in the skin or breast tissue, cancer is especially dangerous because this replication causes one cancer cell to multiply exponentially over a short period of time. Most cancers are caused by external stimuli, such as exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, which in turn causes mesothelioma.
Effectiveness of conventional mesothelioma treatments:
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lining of the internal organs of the body. Unlike most other types of cancers, Mesothelioma does not respond well to conventional treatments because of the location and prolonged malignancy of the infected cells. Because there are no outward symptoms of the disease, doctors cannot adequetely diagnose it until it is significantly advanced, which limits the effectiveness of many conventional treatments.
Few instances in life are as devastating as being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The legacy of the negligence and deception on the part of the asbestos industry means that perhaps hundreds of thousands of people must suffer through debilitating conditions like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. If you are one of these people, you have rights. Let our dedicated and compassionate mesothelioma lawyers help you fight for your cause and get you the financial compensation you may deserve. You must hurry though, for the laws called statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to begin your case. Contact us today.
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Treatment Options
Medical ProceduresThe chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered.
There are a number of treatment options available to mesothelioma patients. Extrapleural pneumonectomy in selected patient with very early stage disease may improve recurrence-free survival, but its impact on overall survival is unknown. Pleurectomy and Decortication can provide palliative relief from symptomatic effusions, discomfort caused by tumor burden, and pain caused by invasive tumors. The use of radiation therapy in pleural mesothelioma has been shown to alleviate pain in the majority of patients treated. Unfortunately, the duration of symptom control is short-lived. Single agent and combimed chemotherapy have reported higher response rates in STAGE II patients, but the toxicity reported is also higher, and there is no evidence that combination treatments result in longer survival or longer control of the symptoms.
Standard TreatmentsThere are treatments for all patients with malignant mesothelioma.
Three kinds of treatment are used:chemotheraphy (using drugs to fight the cancer).
surgery (taking out the cancer).
radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells) chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer).
Surgery is a common treatment of malignant mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, a lung also may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy). If fluid has collected in the chest or abdomen, the doctor may drain the fluid out of the body by putting a needle into the chest or abdomen and using gentle suction to remove the fluid. If fluid is removed from the chest, this is called thoracentesis. If fluid is removed from the abdomen, this is called paracentesis. The doctor may also put drugs through a tube into the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in the vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be put directly into the chest (intrapleural chemotherapy).
Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a new type of treatment that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes cancer cells more sensitive to light is injected into a vein several days before surgery. During surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, a special light is used to shine on the pleura. This treatment is being studied for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest.
Side EffectsCancer treatments all have side effects. It is hard to kill cancer cells at the same time as keeping all healthy cells safe. Side effects of treatment depend on the type of treatment and the person’s overall health when treatment starts.
Experimental TreatmentsNot all patients are cured with standard therapy, and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired. Clinical trials, therefore, are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the most up-to-date information. Clinical trials are ongoing in many parts of the country for many patients with malignant mesothelioma.
These new approaches often combine two or more traditional treatments or consist of other promising innovations.
To learn more about clinical trials, call for a free information package 1-800-362-1479. You may also try the following link:
Visit this site http://www.mesothelioma-net.org/treatmentoptions/medical.asp for more information.
Drugs / Medications
What follows is a list of mesothelioma medications. Please contact us directly for the most updated mesothelioma drug information.
ALIMTA [ (pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis. ALIMTA will be available on an expanded access use for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos. As of July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration agreed to place ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn't yet commercially available, although the sponsor is actively pursuing marketing approval. Eli Lilly is pursuing approval of ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis. The company said results of a Phase III trial showed that patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer and had less pain and shortness of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone. In the trial, the most common side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP (aroplatin). Intrapleural administration is intended to exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.
Endostatin. Has been shown to inhibit a tumor's ability to grow blood vessels without destroying normal healthy cells. Works with angiostatin. Lovastatin. A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Intrapleural interferon gamma. The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area.
Photodynamic therapy. Light energy is used to destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy. Focuses on strengthening the immune system to assist the body in fighting the disease.
Gene Therapy. Focuses on pinpointing and correcting the genetic defect that first allowed the tumor to develop.
To learn more about new mesothelioma medications and clinical trials call for a free information package 1-800-362-1479 or visit this site http://www.mesothelioma-net.org/treatmentoptions/drugs-medication.asp for more information.
Treatment Options
Find A Mesothelioma Doctor Near You "Find a doctor near you". Northeast ConnecticutMark Cullen, M.D.
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program
Yale University School of Medicine
135 College Street, 3rd floor
New Haven, CT 06510-2483
(203) 785-5885
E-mail: Mark.Cullen@yale.edu
Jack A. Elias, M.D.
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street, LCI-105
New Haven, Connecticut 06520
(203) 785-4163
E-mail: jack.elias@yale.edu
Michael Grey, M.D.
UConn Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06032
Bruce G. Haffty, M.D.
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Department of Therapeutic Radiology
Yale University School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street
P.O. Box 208040
New Haven, CT 06520
(203) 785-2959
Graeme L. Hammond, M.D. Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of Surgery Yale University School of Medicine 333 Cedar Street New Haven, CT 06520 (203) 785-2699
Michael Kashgarian, M.D.
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Department of Pathology
Yale University School of Medicine
Lauder Hall, B20
310 Cedar Street
P.O. Box 208023
New Haven, CT 06520-8023
(203) 785-2750
Ronald Ponn, M.D.
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Department of Surgery
Yale University School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06520
(203) 562-2257
Carrie A. Redlich, M.D., M.P.H.
Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program
Yale University School of Medicine
135 College St, 3rd floor
New Haven, CT 06510-2483
(203) 737-2817
E-mail: carrie.redlich@yale.edu
Paul Sugarbaker, M.D.
Center for Surgical Oncology
Washington Cancer Institute
Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-3908
Mark Krasna, M.D.
Division of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology
University of Maryland Medical Center
22 S. Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(800) 492-5538, (410) 328-6366
E-mail: Mkrasna@smail.umaryland.edu
Richard Kradin, M.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Pulmonary Associates
55 Fruit Street, GRB 806
Boston, MA 02114-2696
(800) 711-4644
David Sugarbaker, M.D. International Multidisciplinary Mesothelioma Program Dana Farber Cancer Institute & Division of Thoracic Surgery Brighams & Womens Hospital 75 Francis Street Boston, MA 02115 (617) 732-6824 E-mail: djsugarbak@partners.org New Patient Coordinator: (617) 732-5922 Research Study Coordinators: Christine Dyer, MA (617) 732-5500 ext. 33858 Mollie Baird, MPH (617) 732-6711
New YorkManjit Bains, M.D.
Department of Surgery, Thoracic Service
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 639-7450
John A. Chabot, M.D.
Department of Surgery
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-9468
David H. Ilson, M.D.
Gastrointestinal Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 639-8306
Mary-Louise Keohan, M.D.
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-0592
Mark G. Kris, M.D.
Thoracic Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 639-7590
Lee A. Krug, M.D.
Thoracic Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 639-8420
Borys Mychalczak, M.D.
Department of Radiation Oncology
Memorial Sloan-Kettering at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
777 North Broadway
Sleepy Hollow, New York
(914) 366-0702, (212) 639-6823
Roman Perez-Soler, M.D.
Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Cancer Center
New York University School of Medicine
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 263-8043, (212) 263-6485
Valerie Rusch, M.D.
Department of Surgery, Thoracic Service
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 639-5873
E-mail: ruschv@mskcc.org
Robert N. Taub, M.D.
Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital
Atchley Pavilion Room 907
161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY
Stephen M. Hahn, M.D.
Center for Lung Cancer and Related Disorders
Department of Radiation Oncology
2 Donner Building
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia PA 19104
(800) 789-7366
Larry Kaiser, M.D.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
6 Silverstein Bldg.
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 662-7538
E-mail: kaiser@mail.med.upenn.edu
Corey J. Langer, M.D.
Thoracic and Head & Neck Medical Oncology
Fox Chase Cancer Center
7701 Burholme Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Daniel H. Sterman, M.D.
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Department of Surgery
4 Silverstein Bldg.
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia PA 19104
(800) 789-7366
Timothy S. Hall, MD,
Professor and Chief Cardiothoracic Surgery
6310 HSCN
Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
(304) 203-1111
James W. Ballard, M.D.
Baptist Medical Center Princeton
701 Princeton Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 783-3700
Department of Pathology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
P220 West Pavilion
619 South 19th Street
Birmingham, AL 35233-7331
E-mail: cmoran@path.uab.edu
Elizabeth A. Johnson, M.D.
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville, Florida
(904) 953-7290