Mesothelioma Complete Guide

Stage 1: Mesothelioma Treatment and Diagnosis

Diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma often occur simultaneously, as they both require immediate attention. The earlier you receive treatment the better your chances of survival are. However, proper diagnosis is essential to receiving effective treatment. Regardless of the type of mesothelioma you have or its location, you should expect a team approach to your care. A collaborative team with expertise in many areas will help tailor your care plan and create a treatment roadmap that meets your needs. A multidisciplinary team will consist of multiple healthcare professionals who work together in an effort to diagnose and treat patients with mesothelioma more efficiently than one practitioner working alone. Each professional on this team brings unique skills to the table that allows for a more encompassing and effective approach when treating patients with mesothelioma.

Anatomy of a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Your doctor will start by taking a complete medical history and performing a physical examination, followed by a series of diagnostic tests to help confirm a diagnosis. Imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, may be used to determine the location of the tumor and its extent. Blood and urine tests can help detect asbestos exposure, which is critical to determining cancer type. Laboratory tests may also be done to check for other potential causes of your symptoms. Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) is a procedure in which a sample of tissue is removed through the nose using a long, flexible, hollow needle. TBB may be used to take a sample of lung tissue to confirm the presence of asbestos fibers. TBB is more commonly used in diagnosing pleural mesothelioma.

## Confirming the Diagnosis

A definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma is often challenging due to the difficulty in locating the tumor and identifying the cancer cells. However, there are several tests that can be used to confirm a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects that you have mesothelioma, you may have an imaging scan with a special dye that shows up on an X-ray (fluoroscopy) or an imaging scan to show the pattern of blood flow in your organs. This may help identify a tumor.

Treatment Options For Mesothelioma

Treatment options for mesothelioma will vary depending on factors such as the type of mesothelioma you have, your age, overall health, and the location of the tumor. Because mesothelioma is a long-term illness, many types of treatment can last months or even years. The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of cancer, prolong survival, and improve quality of life. Your treatment plan will likely include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Your doctor will consider your age, overall health, the extent of the disease, and your desires in choosing the best treatment for you.

Other Forms of Treatment

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often given in combination with chemotherapy. It is often used to treat pleural mesothelioma.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses substances to improve your body's natural ability to fight disease. It works by boosting your immune system so it can fight cancer cells.

Surgery

Surgery is a procedure to remove the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. It may be done to assess the extent of the tumor, determine if the tumor has spread (metastasized), or remove the tumor and affected tissue.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that targets abnormal cells. It blocks specific proteins that allow cancer cells to grow, survive, and spread.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs are commonly given to patients through an intravenous (IV) tube but can also be given orally. Chemotherapy is often used to treat mesothelioma.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses substances to improve your body's natural ability to fight disease. It works by boosting your immune system so it can fight cancer cells.

Surgery

Surgery is a procedure to remove the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. It may be done to assess the extent of the tumor, determine if the tumor has spread, or remove the tumor and affected tissue. Surgery may be the only treatment necessary in some cases.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that targets abnormal cells. It blocks specific proteins that allow cancer cells to grow, survive, and spread.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often given in combination with chemotherapy. It is often used to treat pleural mesothelioma.

Future Treatment

New drug therapies, gene therapies, and immunotherapies are being developed to treat a variety of cancers, including mesothelioma.

Key takeaway

Treatment for mesothelioma involves taking steps to control the progression of the disease, often through the use of surgery or chemotherapy. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, there are a wide variety of treatments available to patients that can help relieve symptoms and extend survival.