Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments
Posted On Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 By Ravi
Treatment for malignant mesothelioma varies due to a number of factors: the location of the cancer, the stage or severity of the cancer , and a patient’s personal preference. Naturally, mesothelioma sufferers whose cancer is caught and treated earlier have a greater chance of prolonging their life. Traditional mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or a combination of the three which are outlined below. Surgery Surgical treatment for mesothelioma is employed to either remove the cancer from the affected area of the body (i.e., the lung or abdominal cavity) or to alleviate pain. If the mesothelioma has spread, it may be impossible to remove all of the cancer with surgery; however surgical intervention may help lessen pain. Types of Surgery Pneumonectomy Pneumonectomy refers to the surgical removal of a lung. There are two types of pneumonectomies: Traditional Pneumonectomy – In which the diseased lung is removed. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy – In which the diseased lung, as well as part of the pericardium, diaphragm or parietal pleura on the same side of the chest, are removed. Palliative Procedures These procedures do not cure mesothelioma, but rather function to alleviate or control symptoms: Thoracentisis – In this procedure, a needle is Continue Reading