Traditional treatment for mesothelioma involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, palliative care or a combination of these. The specific treatment chosen is based upon the mesothelioma disease stage, as well as whether it is intended to remove or destroy the cancer or if it is palliative for comfort, pain relief or to reduce other symptoms and complications.
Surgery
Surgery is an option for removing the tumor, directly. Surgery may also treat mesothelioma symptoms and complications by removing membrane or lung tissue that may develop tumors at a later time.
Thoracentesis and paracentesis are minor surgical procedures to draw fluid and infectious material out of the pleural or peritoneal space. Fluid buildup is a complication caused by inflammation or infection resulting from the tumor irritating nearby tissue.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, can be delivered by directing radiation (X-rays) directly to the affected area, or by injection of a radioactive solution via intravenous injection (IV).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy technically refers to any medication (chemical) given as a treatment. Under chemotherapy come several medication classifications: Cancer killing drugs, antibiotics to treat secondary infections, and pain relievers. Chemotherapy can be administered by pill or IV. Technically, radiation therapy administered by IV could be considered chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been used successfully in conjunction with specialized light therapy to make cancer cells more susceptible to light as a method of killing cells.
Palliative Care
Palliative care relieves pain and symptoms. While palliative treatment is not curative, it could be administered in conjunction with curative treatments to alleviate pain, shortness of breath (SOB), anxiety, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite or gastrointestinal problems.
Palliative care can be surgical or chemotherapeutic intervention. It may include draining fluid, treatment to improve breathing and relieve shortness of breath, pain pills, exercise, behavioral modification (breathing techniques, biofeedback), acupuncture and other approaches.
The experienced mesothelioma lawyers at Brown | Kiely, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. invite you to please contact them for a free evaluation of your claim.
