Mesothelioma Treatment Options

🏥 Primary Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

🧬 1. Surgery

Surgery is typically used for early-stage mesothelioma and aims to remove as much of the tumor as possible.

• Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP): Removes a lung, part of the diaphragm, and surrounding tissue.
• Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D): Removes the lining of the lung and part of the chest wall without removing the lung itself.
• Cytoreductive Surgery: For peritoneal mesothelioma, often combined with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC).

💉 2. Chemotherapy

Often used in combination with surgery or when surgery isn't an option.

• Common drugs: Pemetrexed and Cisplatin
• Goal: Slow tumor growth and relieve symptoms

☢️ 3. Radiation Therapy

Targets mesothelioma cells with high-energy beams to shrink tumors and manage pain.

• Often used after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells
• May also be used as palliative care

🧪 Emerging Treatments & Clinical Trials

🌐 Immunotherapy

Boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

• Drugs like nivolumab and ipilimumab have shown promise in recent trials.

🔬 Targeted Therapy

Focuses on specific gene mutations in cancer cells. Still under research but gaining ground in personalized care.

🧫 Gene Therapy & Photodynamic Therapy

Experimental therapies in clinical trials may offer future options for resistant cases.

🩺 Supportive & Palliative Care

Even when mesothelioma is advanced, treatments are available to manage symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Fluid buildup

Palliative care improves quality of life and helps patients manage the emotional and physical effects of cancer.

📋 Choosing the Right Treatment Plan

✅ Factors That Influence Treatment:

• Type and stage of mesothelioma
• Location of tumors
• Overall health and age
• Patient preferences and goals

Treatment is often coordinated by a multidisciplinary team that may include oncologists, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, and palliative care specialists.

🧭 Where to Get Treatment

Top cancer centers in the U.S. for mesothelioma care include:

• MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas)
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston)
• Mayo Clinic (Minnesota)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York)

🧠 Conclusion

Mesothelioma treatment has evolved to include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and newer options like immunotherapy. Early diagnosis, access to specialists, and clinical trial participation can significantly impact outcomes. If you or a loved one is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, seeking care from an experienced cancer center is essential.