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A background discussion of the disease.
Detailed descriptions of the three types of mesothelioma.
The most common risk factors & diagnosis.
Several treatment options and clinical trials are presented.
Legal implications associated with mesothelioma.
A causal connection between asbestos and mesothelioma.
There are several mesothelioma treatment options available to patients suffering from the effects of exposure to asbestos. Each treatment option depends on the severity and stage of the disease, age and condition of the patient, and the location of the disease. Mesothelioma research news continues to indicate advances in treatment options.
Surgery
Surgery consists of an invasive procedure whereby an attempt is made to remove the tumor from the patient. The greatest rate of success is when surgery is performed in the earliest stage of the disease as possible. Surgery alone, however, very rarely results in successful long-term prognosis.
Tri-modality Therapy
Treatment of mesothelioma may also include tri-modality therapy. This involves performing surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The hope is that through a combination of the three treatment options, the patient will stand the best chance for success. Success is relative and in most cases may mean a slowing of the progression of the disease, or relief from symptoms, if not a cure of the disease. The literature indicates a tri-modality approach may improve chances for success over a single or dual treatment approach.
Chemotherapy
New clinical trials are testing the impact of several drug therapies in treating the symptoms of malignant mesothelioma. Research trials have reported greater success for newer chemotherapy drugs in treating patients than the older drugs. Patients have been reported to live longer and have less pain when following newer chemotherapy drug regimes.
Radiation
Radiation therapy has been reported to cause a partial response. It may alleviate some pain associated with malignant mesothelioma.
New Approaches
- Angiogenesis and Anti-angiogenesis Drugs
- Immunotherapy
- Photodynamic therapy
