Multimodality Therapy

Mesothelioma Multimodality Therapy

Though a cure does not currently exist for patients with mesothelioma, many patients elect to undergo treatment to combat the cancer. A multimodality therapy approach combines two or more treatment options, completed at the same time, to treat a disease.

When treating mesothelioma, doctors may recommend this approach since a combination of treatments may yield positive results.

An example of a multimodality approach was reported in Chest, a medical journal published by the American College of Chest Physicians. A 52-year-old man with Stage 1 mesothelioma underwent surgery to remove the outermost lining around his lung (known as a pleurectomy), in an effort to remove the tumor. This treatment was followed by intrapleural chemotherapy (chemotherapy delivered directly to the body cavity) and two cycles of chemotherapy (using the medications paclitaxel and carboplatin). The patient then underwent thoracic irradiation and an additional two cycles of chemotherapy. Two years after surgery, the patient is alive and has no evidence of mesothelioma. In this particular situation, it appears a multimodality therapy approach was successful.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Doctors may recommend several different treatment options for mesothelioma patients. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For the most part, one treatment option is not used in isolation, as doctors often recommend a combination of therapies to patients.

For example, a patient who undergoes surgery to remove cancerous tissue and tumors may undergo chemotherapy and radiation afterward to attack any remaining cancerous cells. If a patient is a candidate for surgery, this is a common treatment regimen recommended by many doctors. Surgery is often recommended to patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in the early stages of development.

Chemotherapy is typically administered through an IV (intravenously). Medications are used to target and kill cancerous cells that divide rapidly. Unfortunately chemotherapy may also affect healthy cells such as those in the digestive tract and hair follicles. Patients are often concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss and nausea. Though chemotherapy does not cure mesothelioma, it can help control symptoms of the disease and increase the quality of life for patients.

Radiation is another common treatment used by mesothelioma patients to control cancerous cells. Radiation therapy is used to kill cancerous cells and control the growth of new cancer cells. Several types of radiation therapy exist, however in most cases, external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy are the radiation therapies used to treat mesothelioma.

Aside from the most common forms of treatment utilized by mesothelioma patients, experimental treatments have demonstrated success in clinical trials and are becoming more popular in the treatment of mesothelioma. Treatments such as photodynamic, gene and immunotherapy continue to give hope to mesothelioma patients internationally. Alternative therapies including acupuncture, massage and TENS therapy may also improve a patient’s quality of life and reduce symptoms of mesothelioma.

If you wish to learn more about treatment options available to mesothelioma patients, please fill out this form to receive a complimentary packet with additional information about treatment options, top doctors and cancer centers nationwide.
Doctor Match Program

One of the most important factors in improving a mesothelioma patient's life expectancy is their selection of doctor and treatment facility. Asbestos.com's Doctor Match Program is now helping patients get matched with top mesothelioma specialists around the country. If you wish to take advantage of this free service please call us at (800) 549-0544 or click here to visit our doctor match page.

Sources:
http://www.chestjournal.org/content/116/suppl_3/444S.full

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