Mesothelioma Treatments

The most ideal mesothelioma treatment option is to regularly follow up on those who were exposed to asbestos but still have no symptoms of the disease. These checkups would include period pulmonary function examinations. Because early detection and a good prognosis are linked, this is the most effective option. Among mesothelioma treatments, especially in the early or preventive stages, taking care of your respiratory health is among the most important. Take care to avoid pulmonary illnesses and infections to the extent possible, and if you smoke, stop. Smokers have a vastly greater risk of developing lung cancer or other complications of pulmonary disease than non-smokers. For people with serious asbestos-related pulmonary illnesses, any additional respiratory infection could prove fatal.

Clinical trials are options for some people. These trials are designed to test out new drugs and treatments. Because of the increased risk of trying a treatment in the experimental phase, as well as the chance that one might be a part of a control group that does not receive the treatment (for the purposes of comparison with the experimental group), make it an unattractive option for many people. Some people consider the risk worth it to try out a new treatment. It’s a personal decision, and it should be discussed with your doctor.

In general, mesothelioma treatments don’t differ from treatments for other types of cancer. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery are the most common options. Radiation therapy involves using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. This kind of therapy can be in the form of high-energy rays, which would be emitted from a machine, or from radiation-emitting materials that are inserted into the area where the cancer cells are present. Chemotherapy involves using drugs and chemicals, usually injected intravenously (IV), to kill cancer cells. Surgery would be an attempt to remove the affected areas. The viability of this option depends greatly on the affected area’s size and location, and the patient’s overall health (another reason to quit smoking).

Other mesothelioma treatment options include thoracentesis and paracentesis, which are processes that remove fluid from the chest and abdomen, respectively. These are used to help control symptoms and pain.

Mesothelioma treatment costs are similar to other cancer costs. Although figures for individuals are difficult to provide considering the variability in treatment plans, cancer treatments can cost many thousands of dollars per month. Check with your insurance plan or Medicare to see what kind of coverage you have, if any. Overall, cancer treatment, including mesothelioma treatment, costs over $40 billion in the US each year.