Mesothelioma cure is an important subject for everyone suffering from the rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure and which affects the mesothelium — a thin layer of tissue that covers internal organs.
This comprehensive overview of mesothelioma will cover types, treatments, and resources available for you.
Understanding Mesothelioma and Its Types
Mesothelioma is classified based on the location of the tumors. The three main types are pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). Symptoms of this disease will include chest pain, shortness of breath, and persistent cough.
Because of its symptoms that can easily be mistaken for another illness, diagnosing pleural mesothelioma can be tough and might often lead to late-stage detection. The disease has an average survival time of 12-21 months post-diagnosis.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). Symptoms might include abdominal pain, swelling, and weight loss.
Similar to pleural mesothelioma, early diagnosis can be very complicated. The disease progresses quickly.
Still, there is hope thanks to combining cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy which helped extend survival rates.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart (pericardium). Like other types on the list, its symptoms might include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.
Compared to other types, this one is very rare and often diagnosed posthumously due to its rapid progression.
Mesothelioma Treatments Options
Below are the current treatments available for mesothelioma patients:
Surgical Options
Surgical procedures for mesothelioma include pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
P/D is when the tumor and affected pleura are removed, while EPP is when the lung, pleura, diaphragm, and pericardium are removed.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells by relying either on pemetrexed or cisplatin. Now chemotherapy can shrink tumors and alleviate symptoms, but might often causes side effects like nausea, fatigue, and hair loss.
According to some studies, combining chemotherapy with additional treatments can enhance its effectiveness (Vogelzang et al., 2020).
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy relies on high-energy rays to directly kill cancer cells. It is commonly used to shrink tumor size ahead of the surgery or to alleviate symptoms for advanced stages patients. It is still considered a very valuable tool in mesothelioma treatment (Rusch et al., 2020).
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is when the body’s immune system is used to fight cancer. With drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab showing promising results when it comes to treating mesothelioma, the process relies on targeting specific proteins in cancer cells and could easily lead to significant improvements in survival and quality of life (Baas et al., 2020).
Challenges in Finding a Mesothelioma Cure
Finding a mesothelioma cure is quite challenging due to the disease’s long latency period and aggressive nature.
The latency period of 20-50 years of mesothelioma means symptoms appear decades after asbestos exposure (Carbone et al., 2020).
Furtheremore, mesothelioma is highly aggressive and its ability to spread quickly and adapt to therapies makes it hard to manage (Yang et al., 2020).
Another problem is asbestos exposure which continues in some industries and regions posing major risk and sparking new cases of mesothelioma (Stayner et al., 2020).
Promising Research and Advancements
Recent research and advancements offer hope for better mesothelioma treatments and potential mesothelioma cures.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy happens after modifying the patient’s genes to target and kill mesothelioma cells showing promising results in preclinical trials (Sterman et al., 2020).
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic targeted therapy (PDT) uses light-sensitive drugs and a light source to destroy cancer cells (Friedberg et al., 2020).
Clinical Trials and Immunotherapy Advancements
Clinical trials are essential for testing new treatments and improving existing ones. Recent advancements in immunotherapy, such as combination therapies and novel drug targets, have shown promise in clinical trials (Baas et al., 2020).
Improving Prognosis and Survival Rates
Improving mesothelioma prognosis and survival rates involves early detection, advanced treatments, and comprehensive patient care.
Early Detection and Advanced Treatments
Early detection through regular screenings and advanced imaging techniques can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Combining early detection with advanced treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy offers the best chance.
Clinical trials also gives patientsaccess to innovative treatments and contribute to medical advancements.
Experimental and Alternative Treatments
Experimental and alternative treatments offer additional options for mesothelioma patients seeking new approaches.
CAR T-Cell Therapy
Early studies indicate that CAR T-cell therapy could offer a new, effective treatment option for mesothelioma patients. CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying a patient’s T-cells to target and kill cancer cells.
Oncolytic Virus Therapy
Oncolytic virus therapy uses genetically modified viruses to infect and kill cancer cells. This approach has shown potential in preclinical studies for mesothelioma, with ongoing research aiming to optimize virus delivery and effectiveness.
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine mixes between conventional treatments and complementary therapies, like acupuncture, massage, and herbal supplements. Although they don’t count as a mesothelioma cure, integrative medicine represents a holistic approach to patient care.
Importance of Support Groups and Counseling
Organizations like the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization can help you get valuable information, and support.
Support groups and counseling services offer emotional support and practical advice for patients and their families. Connecting with others who understand the challenges of mesothelioma can provide comfort and reduce feelings of isolation.
Financial assistance programs, including grants, insurance resources, and legal compensation, can help alleviate the financial burden of mesothelioma treatment. Patients should explore available options and seek guidance from social workers or financial counselors.
