Treating Mesothelioma

Depending on several factors, including cell type, staging, previous health conditions, a recently diagnosed mesothelioma patient may have several choices concerning treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. There also may be several active clinical trials seeking candidates.

There are several physicians including surgeons, surgical oncologists and oncologists who have experience in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma.

Who to Trust? Taking Medical Articles with a Grain of Salt

How much faith should we put in published, peer-reviewed studies that show that a drug, vitamin, surgical technique or medical device produces a favorable result? We certainly want to believe that a conclusion based on raw data generated in a properly designed test by objective scientists must be true and is therefore reliable. We strongly encourage you to be discerning when reading these medical articles and know that the best treatment recommendations will come from your doctor.

Treating Mesothelioma with Surgery

Surgery can be a viable option for some mesothelioma patients. Usually, it is recommended for patients who are healthy enough for surgery and whose mesothelioma has not spread too far. Surgery is particularly effective in patients when coupled with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an option for many cancer patients. It involves killing cancerous cells by injecting powerful chemical drugs into a person’s body. While chemotherapy cannot cure mesothelioma, it can improve a patient’s prognosis in many cases.

Immunotherapy

Currently, immunotherapy is only offered through clinical trials as it is an emerging mesothelioma treatment option. Immunotherapy has only been around since the 1980s. It works by stimulating the immune system into a response against tumors.