Mesothelioma, the almost 100% fatal cancer, is caused only by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis is the severe scarring of the lungs after they have been damaged by asbestos particles. While there is no absolute cure for either, there are several methods of treating these diseases. With careful planning, and a knowledgeable doctor, the extreme conditions of the two diseases can be kept under control for some time.
The conventional treatment options for mesothelioma and asbestosis include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The treatment that would best suit you depends on the stage of the cancer. For example, a patient with minor symptoms and only small sections of infected tissue may consider surgery as an option. Surgery is not limited to removing sections of tissue, it can be any invasive therapy in which a doctor or surgeon modifies or corrects problems within the body. This includes thoracentesis, which involves removing fluid from the chest cavity.
Radiation treatment is also a successful way to treat mesothelioma and/or asbestosis. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill the malicious cancer cells within a section of the body. Brachytherapy, another form of radiation therapy, is a process in which radioactive material is placed directly in the body at the site of the cancer. This treatment is usually used in place of surgery for patients with poor health.
Chemotherapy is another major form of treatment for mesothelioma and asbestosis. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. In contrast to the preceding treatments, chemotherapy does not directly affect the disease site. Instead, the chemicals are ingested in pill-form, or injected intravenously, and is carried to the site through the blood stream. Major chemotherapy drugs include Altima and Cisplatin.
Because there is no cure or treatment for mesothelioma and asbestosis, there are several experimental therapies. Those conducting these therapies hope to one day find a cure or a way to successfully treat the symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis. These experimental treatments include gene therapy (altering genes to affect their function), immunotherapy (using substances to stimulate the body’s immune system), photodynamic therapy (using laser light and a special chemical to create reactions and kill cancer cells), and multimodality therapy (using multiple treatments to kill cancer cells).
All of these treatments have had positive affects on mesothelioma patients or those affected with asbestosis. However, the specific treatment regime and type depends on the stage of your cancer, and the decisions of your doctors. Please feel free to browse learn more about each treatment option so that you may be able to make an informed decision.