How Mesothelioma Treatment is Done

Because there is no known cure for mesothelioma yet, there are various things that are done to slow the progression of the cancer and to sometimes eliminate the cancer that has already formed. This is called mesothelioma treatment and if you have discovered you have the disease, it is not the end because you can fight the illness with the facilities and drugs available. Firstly, if you are not familiar with mesothelioma, it is a cancer that is caused by the exposure to toxic substances called asbestos. They are used in many industries and there, people can be exposed to it. After many years, the symptoms of the disease start to show. Some of the working places that asbestos is likely to be found are ship yards, asbestos mines, construction sites, manufacturing industries and so many others.
One example of mesothelioma treatment is surgery. This involves getting to the affected area and removing the tumors that may have formed. This will go a long way in eliminating all the symptoms if it is a success. Not everyone qualifies for surgery because there are many factor that the doctor will have to consider including how far the cancer has spread, your medical history and other factors. The mesothelioma treatment can be undertaken as multi modal therapy. This means that it can be done alongside other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. They will help eliminate most cancerous cells, slowing down the development of the disease.
If the disease has affected the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma and the surgical procedure done to drain the fluid that has formed is called thoracentesis. This treatment is palliative which means that it helps reduce the discomfort in the patient. There are very many other surgical procedures that can be undertaken to ensure that the patient is comfortable. When the disease affects the lining of the abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. A mesothelioma treatment which can be performed surgically is paracentesis. There are other surgeries that can be performed depending on the extent of the disease and the individual patient. Let a doctor explain to you about all these procedures and advise you on the best for you if you need treatment.
Another mesothelioma treatment is chemotherapy and this is basically the use of drugs to kill the cancer cell in the body. This treatment leaves many patients weak because of the following reason. The drugs will target all the cell that are actively dividing including the healthy cell like the ones that help in immunity. Therefore, they will have a weakened immune system, the patients will not have energy when the treatment starts to have effect on the body. They will experience hair loss because the hair cells are being destroyed. Another mesothelioma treatment is the use of a very powerful x ray and this is referred to as radiation. Many weak patients are treated with this method and the cancer is delayed from progressing. Therefore, if you have the illness, do not dismiss this treatments because they will do so much for you.