Mesothelioma Treatment Options

The basic principle being the treatment of any type of cancer is employed in the treatment of mesothelioma also that is finding out and destroying all the malignant tissues and cells and leaving the healthy tissues intact.The main three treatment modalities employed in treatment of Mesothelioma are

1.Surgery
2.Chemotherapy
3.Radiotherapy
4.Intraoperative photo dynamic therapy
5.Gene therapy
6.Immunotherapy

Out of these , the 1st three are the traditional methods and the last 3 are the modern techniques.Now lets discuss about the tradition treatments in datail.


Surgery

Surgery is the most common among all the treatments.The process involves removing the the cells and tissues of the affected part of the mesothelium lining the abdomen and the lungs.peritoneum and pleura.If the spread of malignancy is more , adjacent tissues, part of diaphragm , lung muscles etc are removed as per the extent of spread of the disease.In advanced cases , even the lung may be removed.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy makes use of x-rays and gamma rays, and other radiations to destroy the malignant cells and tissues. Radiotherapy is of two types namely,internal and external radiation therapies.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy , certain specific drugs are used to destroy the malignant cells.Chemotherapy can be done by way of internal medicine like pills or by injecting into the body.These drugs travels through the bloodstream and kills the malignant cells.