Depending on several factors, including cell type,
staging, previous health conditions, a recently diagnosed mesothelioma patient
may have several choices concerning treatment options, including
surgery,
chemotherapy,
radiation therapy and
immunotherapy. There also may be several active
clinical trials seeking candidates.
There are several physicians including surgeons, surgical oncologists and
oncologists who have experience in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma.
Worthington & Caron, PC clients have the advantage of exploring a wide
range of treatment options through connections to top meso physicians
and clinical trials
Who to Trust? Taking Medical Articles with a Grain of Salt
How much faith should we put in published, peer-reviewed studies that show
that a drug, vitamin, surgical technique or medical device produces a
favorable result? We certainly want to believe that a conclusion based
on raw data generated in a properly designed test by objective scientists
must be true and is therefore reliable. We strongly encourage you to be
discerning when reading these medical articles and know that the best
treatment recommendations will come from your doctor.
Treating Mesothelioma with Surgery
Surgery can be a viable option for some mesothelioma patients. Usually,
it is recommended for patients who are healthy enough for surgery and
whose mesothelioma has not spread too far. Surgery is particularly effective
in patients when coupled with other treatments such as chemotherapy or
radiation.
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an option for many cancer patients. It involves killing
cancerous cells by injecting powerful chemical drugs into a person’s
body. While chemotherapy cannot cure mesothelioma, it can improve a patient’s
prognosis in many cases.
Immunotherapy
Currently, immunotherapy is only offered through clinical trials as it
is an emerging mesothelioma treatment option. Immunotherapy has only been
around since the 1980s. It works by stimulating the immune system into
a response against tumors.
Radiation Therapy
This type of mesothelioma treatment involves killing cancerous cells through
radiation. Radiation is localized onto the affected area, unlike chemotherapy
which affects the entire body.
Gene Therapy
This type of mesothelioma treatment works by attempting to repair defective
genes. Cancer causing agents, like asbestos, can genetically damage the
genes in your body. Before the damaged genes spread into cancer,
gene therapy attempts to stop this through repairing the defective genes.
Clinical Trials
Worthington & Caron, PC helps connect its clients to clinical trials
for mesothelioma. Clinical trials are not available to everyone. Accepted
patients are able to undergo new test treatments for mesothelioma.
Novel Therapies
Novel therapies like chemoprevention, anti-angiogenesis and cryoablation are under investigation
to determine if they are effective and viable treatment options to treat
mesothelioma.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain
lifestyle changes may be effective to reduce the side effects of mesothelioma. Many
doctors recommend things like diet changes, quitting smoking and drinking,
reducing stress, and more.
Alternative Treatment Options
Many clients of Worthington & Caron, PC have opted for alternative
mesothelioma treatment options such as cachexia treatments, palliative
care, estrogen treatments, and more.