Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma 

How Radiation Works for Asbestos Cancer Patients

While no two patients are alike, necessitating a unique treatment strategy for everyone diagnosed with mesothelioma, radiation therapy is one of the most commonly used treatment methods. Radiation therapy works by targeting cancer cells and shrinking tumors. The major benefit of radiation is that the side effects are not as severe as those experienced with chemotherapy. Radiation is also an effective treatment option regardless of what stage the cancer has reached, how large the tumor is, and to where it has spread.

Sometimes, radiation is used in conjunction with other treatment methods such as tumor removal surgery or chemotherapy. Again, the approach your oncologist chooses will depend on your unique circumstances.

Radiation therapy takes a targeted approach at combatting mesothelioma. With chemotherapy, the chemicals cannot distinguish between healthy cells and cancer cells, so patients often experience the death of good cells like hair cells and red blood cells. Radiation, on the other hand, targets the cancerous cells specifically.

Radiation Therapy for Pain Relief

Radiation therapy is not only used to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It is also used for pain management in patients living with mesothelioma. By reducing the size of the tumor, the patient often experiences less pain and less pressure in their lung and chest region.

Types of Radiation Therapies

Radiation therapy comes in a variety of shapes and forms. Some of the most common include:

• External Beam Radiation 
  This is a non-surgical radiation option used to target tumors with radiation rays.
• Intraoperative Radiation 
  This type of radiation therapy is actually a component of a surgical procedure in which the doctor uses radiation beams to prevent the spread of cancer cells during surgery.
• Radiation for Peritoneal (Abdominal) Mesothelioma 
  People diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma are more limited in the type of radiation therapy they can receive. This is due to the location of the cancerous cells. Radiation can kill sensitive organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the liver and kidneys.

If you would like to learn more about radiation therapy, a trusted oncologist would be your best resource. Worthington & Caron, PC provides its clients with access to the nation’s foremost mesothelioma physicians who are skilled in common treatments such as radiation as well as in alternative treatments and novel therapies. Call us today to learn more.