How Do Doctors Treat Mesothelioma?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of the cancer but usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or a combination of all or some of these treatments.
There are many mesothelioma treatment options that can significantly prolong life expectancy and improve quality of life. Your treatment options will depend on a number of factors, including the type of mesothelioma you’ve been diagnosed with (usually pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial), the cell type present in the tumors (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic), the stage (1–4), your demographics (gender, age), and your overall health.
Patients diagnosed at stages 1 or 2 are sometimes candidates for curative treatment options that aim to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Because curative treatments can be aggressive — often involving a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation — they are usually only recommended for patients who are otherwise in good health. For later-stage patients and those who are not in good health, doctors generally focus on palliative care to relieve pain and discomfort and mitigate symptoms (such as breathing difficulties).
Because of its rarity, you should work with a doctor who specializes in treating mesothelioma. Together, you will be able to craft a custom treatment plan. Find mesothelioma specialists and treatment centers.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient, but most mesothelioma patients pursue multimodal therapy, which involves a combination of treatment types. This often involves a three-step process (also known as trimodal therapy) of neoadjuvant therapy, primary therapy, and adjuvant therapy.
Neoadjuvant therapy
Treatment that occurs before the primary treatment in order to improve results. Neoadjuvant therapy for mesothelioma often includes radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Primary therapy
The main treatment for an illness. The primary therapy for mesothelioma is usually surgery.
Adjuvant therapy
Treatment that occurs after the primary treatment in order to improve results, prevent recurrence, and relieve pain or other symptoms. Adjuvant therapy for mesothelioma often includes radiation and/or chemotherapy.
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Treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient, but most mesothelioma patients pursue multimodal therapy, which involves a combination of treatment types. This often involves a three-step process (also known as trimodal therapy) of neoadjuvant therapy, primary therapy, and adjuvant therapy.