Grandmary

Archive for January, 2010

Like most other cancers, mesothelioma treatment also depends upon the staging of the disease. If the disease or cancer is yet localized without any spread, the physician can think of surgery. Removal or debulking of the affected region can be done if the mesothelioma is diagnosed at early stage with the help of imaging techniques like CT scan and MRI scan. Also biopsy of lung tissue can help diagnose the condition exactly.

Once diagnosed, staging is done with the help of these techniques. If the cancer is already metastasized to distant organs or neighboring lymph nodes, the surgery cannot be a fruitful option and one may have to go for

chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But at times, these options may also not offer help. This is the time when the victim is advised some clinical trials in the mesothelioma centers where such facility is available. The trials are the treatments those are not completely proven methods but have proved useful in some patients.
Some other treatment options like photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, cytokines therapy, and some alternative therapies like homeopathy are tried in these patients. Obviously these therapies or any treatment can be initiated if the patient and his relatives give consent for the same. But one thing is sure that mesothelioma cancer has poor prognosis unless treated promptly. So, whatever steps are thought of and are taken should be taken fast by doctor and patient’s relatives. Only then there are chances to extend the patient’s life by some years.