Treatment for pleural mesothelioma
Cutting-Edge Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Options
There are many new developments and symptom management techniques that are improving the outlook for Pleural Mesothelioma patients. Your doctor will discuss the different types of treatment options with you and suggest which treatments may offer you the best outcome. There currently is no known cure for Pleural Mesothelioma, however each person is assessed and cared for as an individual with their own personalised care plan.
Treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma, the stage (extent) of disease and the patient’s general health and preferences. Treatment options may include:
Surgery
For the majority of patients with Pleural Mesothelioma the role of surgery is specifically for pain and symptom relief, however, there are a small and potentially growing number of patients who at the time of diagnosis may be offered more radical treatment.
There are different forms of mesothelioma surgery aimed to reduce lung burden and improve breathing, thereby lengthening survival and increasing the period of disease free living. Other surgery is designed to relieve symptoms of the disease that can be quite debilitating and interfere with the patient's quality of life.
Due to the nature of mesothelioma and the fact that by the time a diagnosis is made the disease has usually reached an advanced stage, surgery is not a likely option. However, in some cases, surgery is suggested in order to remove as much of the cancer as possible and is often followed by other mesothelioma treatments such as chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to control cancer cell growth with the least possible damage to healthy cells. For the majority of Pleural Mesothelioma patients, systemic chemotherapy is often the only treatment option. While chemotherapy treatments have not proven curative in Pleural Mesothelioma they have been found to be valuable for pain relief (palliative) and symptom management and has been shown to improve survival rates.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy ionising radiation targeted to kill and control the growth of cancer cells within a specific area. Radiation therapy for patients, like chemotherapy, is mostly given for pain relief (palliative) and symptom management.
Palliative Care
Palliative care seeks to provide a comprehensive patient centred model of care, with an integrated approach to psychological, physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. Palliative care also supports families and carers in their adjustments to some of the lifestyle changes they may have to face. A referral to palliative care team needs to be made at the time of diagnosis. This is to enable good symptom management and to develop a rapport with the team.
Living with Pleural Mesothelioma
Living with Pleural Mesothelioma can be difficult. Your family, friends and carers can be an important source of help and support. You and your support team (family or carer) are encouraged to communicate openly with your GP or a member of your healthcare team in order to better understand your disease and how it will affect you. Suggested topics to discuss include: symptoms and symptom management, treatment options, side effects of treatments, emotional and practical support, legal/financial matters, and general concerns you or your family may have.
Legal and financial matters for patients and careers affected by Pleural Mesothelioma
Legal and financial matters including: Wills, Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardianship, Advance Care Planning/Directives, Legal Entitlements/Compensation can be daunting topics to address in addition to the stress that comes along with a mesothelioma diagnosis. It is important to address these legal and financial matters but you do not need to do it alone. Specialist lung cancer nurses, social workers, your local cancer council or law firms who are experts in the area can help you work through these matters and navigate the various State specific legal and financial considerations.