Mesothelioma. Treatment options for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma. Treatment options for mesothelioma.

There are three treatment options for mesothelioma fight against cancer: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the position of the cancer, the stage of the disease
and the patient's age and desire. Sometimes, these treatments are combined in the course of treatment.

Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment option for mesothelioma. There are two types of surgeries. The first type associated with the removal of cancer itself. It was held not cancer has spread to many organs. As part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it are removed. For pleural mesothelioma,, A lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing) are removed.

If the cancer has spread to several organs, remove all cancerous tissue becomes impossible. Surgery can help relieve pain and suffering (relief of symptoms). Operation called thoracentesis is performed by placing a needle into the chest cavity of fluid removed in the area.

Radiation therapy
This treatment involves the use of high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors in the affected area. Radiation therapy may be external or internal use.

Side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, skin damage, lung damage (chest radiation therapy). Radiation to the stomach area can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells in the body. It can be taken as a pill or by injection into a vein or muscle. Gemcitabine, doxorubicin, cisplatin and methotrexate, are some of the chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat mesothelioma.