Mesothelioma Treatment Options for Patients

Mesothelioma treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, or clinical trials.  The most appropriate treatment for mesothelioma is dependent on the form and stage of mesothelioma. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, your physician or health care provider should refer you to an oncologist to explore the appropriate mesothelioma treatment options. Oncologists often specialize in certain types of cancer, so you should consider looking for those specializing in treatment for asbestos exposure. We recommend contacting the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation for assistance locating a mesothelioma specialist.

The next steps in your treatment for mesothelioma will be highly specialized, depending on the “stage” of your disease. Identifying stages is a system developed by doctors to evaluate the progression of a disease.

Mesothelioma doctors have developed three different staging systems. The first is the Butchart system, which looks at the extent of the primary tumor. The second is the TNM System, which looks at the tumor, lymph node involvement and metastasis, or how much the cancer has spread. The third system is the Brigham System, which examines the feasibility of removing the tumors surgically and lymph node involvement.

After assessing your overall health and the stage of the disease, your treatment for mesothelioma can include surgery or chemotherapy, or a combination of both. Scientists are continually exploring new ways to treat all forms of cancer, including mesothelioma, so special clinical trials may also be available. In addition, some oncologists may recommend immunotherapy or gene therapy in some cases.

Before Your Mesothelioma Treatment Begins

When your asbestos cancer is first diagnosed, your doctor should talk to you about a treatment plan. This may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or some combination of these mesothelioma treatment options. The focus of these methods is to kill your mesothelioma cancer.

In the process of killing cancer cells, some healthy cells will also be damaged. It is these damaged cells that cause the often difficult side effects of treating mesothelioma. Side effects that can affect your ability to eat may include:

• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• sore mouth or throat
• dry mouth
• changes in sense of taste or smell
• nausea or vomiting
• fatigue and/or depression

You may or may not have any of these side effects. Many factors determine whether you will have any and how severe they will be.  Your doctor can tell you more about the potential side effects of your mesothelioma treatment plan.