Which Therapy?

Mesothelioma

Which Therapy?

It is very important that a victim of malignant mesothelioma is treated in a center with doctors experienced in treating this cancer, and access to clinical trials.

For most of sufferers of malignant mesothelioma however, treatment does not offer an outright cure and the disease eventually progresses. It is therefore important to discuss the management of terminal stages of the disease with the attending doctors and to plan end-of-life decisions well in advance. Cancer centers can provide the specialized support for both the victim and his family that is needed at these times. The Hospice Foundation of America can also provide support services to sufferers and their families; information about locating hospices is available on their website.

The various treatment options in malignant mesothelioma are best discussed with the managing physician. He or she will help decide which treatment is most suitable, depending on the type of tumor and its stage. These are general guidelines only:

Early disease (stage I) + epithelial type + patient meets fitness criteria	Extrapleural pneumonectomy + chemotherapy + radiation therapy or Pleurectomy + chemotherapy + radiation therapy, if there is evidence that there is little/no involvement of the visceral pleura (free pleural space without tissue invasion) Supportive treatment for symptom relief.
Later disease (stages II-IV) + epithelial type + patient meets fitness criteria	Supportive treatment for symptom relief. Consider extrapleural pneumonectomy + chemotherapy + radiation therapy
Later disease (stages II-IV) or sarcomatous or mixed type or patient with poor performance status	Maybe Alimta + cisplatin Supportive treatment for symptom relief. Consider debulking pleurectomy with decortication (for symptom relief) +/- chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (for symptom relief).

The information provided in this site is general in nature and constitutes neither legal nor medical advice. If you are concerned that you or someone you know is at risk of an asbestos-related disease, please consult your physician and an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation cases.

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Mesothelioma

Which Therapy?

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