What is Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium).
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure isn't possible.
Types of Mesothelioma cancer:
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Pericardial mesothelioma
What causes Mesothelioma Cancer?
The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. This exposure can happen from repeated use of asbestos-contaminated consumer products such as talc. Asbestos in the workplace, homes, schools, military structures and naval ships also leads to dangerous exposure. Mesothelioma develops decades after asbestos exposure occurs because it takes time for asbestos fibers to cause the damage that leads to cancer.
Mesothelioma Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Respiratory complications
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
TREATMENT:
Surgery:
Surgery for mesothelioma treatment is a valuable option for patients because it often improves results in mesothelioma survival. Penn Medicine's mesothelioma surgery program in Philadelphia is unique. Few surgeons have the same level of experience in caring for pleural mesothelioma patients as do the thoracic surgeons at Penn. As the cornerstone of their approach to care, Penn thoracic surgeons collaborate closely with their colleagues in radiation and medical oncology to develop individualized treatment plans for patients with mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy may be administered via a pill or ingested liquid, or intravenously (through an IV). For most mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is given through an IV.
Chemotherapy uses medicines that stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by preventing them from dividing. The drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body. Multiple drugs that attack cancer in different ways can be combined to increase their effectiveness.
Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy precisely targets and attacks diseased tissue to slow or stop tumor growth. Radiation therapy for mesothelioma is an integral component of many mesothelioma treatment plans developed by our physicians.
Mesothelioma can be treated with radiation therapy in different ways. Often, it is a tool to remove cancer that could not be completely removed during surgery. Radiation therapy can also be used to relieve symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding and difficulty swallowing.
Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy for mesothelioma is designed to use the body's immune system to actually fight cancerous cells so the body can heal itself. oncologists use biologic or synthetic agents to repair stimulate or enhance the immune system, triggering the body's natural defenses to eliminate the cancer cells.
For further more details, Contact Dr.S.Ayyappan has specialised in Peritoneal Surface Malignancies performed many number of Cytoreductive and HIPEC Surgeries for diseases which are considered as inoperable.