Is There Treatment for Mesothelioma?
Yes, several treatment options can help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and potentially extend survival if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Here are the most common mesothelioma treatment options:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
- Palliative care
- Multimodal therapy
A mesothelioma specialist will consider factors like your age, overall health, and ability to handle potential side effects when determining the best treatment plan. Connect with top mesothelioma doctors near you using our Free Doctor Match service.
Types of Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment is tailored to each patient and may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and palliative care. Your specialist can recommend the best approach based on your type of mesothelioma, overall health, and personal goals for treatment.
Surgery
There are three main types of surgery for mesothelioma. The one your doctor may recommend will depend on whether you’ve been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (which forms in the lung lining) or peritoneal mesothelioma (which forms in the abdominal lining).
The main types of surgeries include:
- Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC to remove visible tumors from the abdominal lining (peritoneum), followed by heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to kill any remaining cancer cells. This surgery is used for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) to remove tumors, the lung closest to the cancer, as well as affected parts of the outer pleura (lung lining), diaphragm, and pericardium (heart lining). This surgery is used for pleural mesothelioma patients.
- Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) to remove the outer pleura and other diseased tissue without removing the affected lung. This surgery is used for pleural mesothelioma patients.
Seeing a mesothelioma specialist instead of a general surgeon is key to determining which mesothelioma treatment options you may qualify for and which might work best in your case.
“Surgeons who are not experienced with mesothelioma may do what is more convenient or familiar for them, which might not be the best for the patient’s cancer treatment.”
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves administering anticancer medications that shrink or slow the growth of tumors. Patients are usually given a combination of the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and pemetrexed (Alimta®).
Other common chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma include:
- Bevacizumab (Avastin®)
- Carboplatin
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar®)
- Vinorelbine (Navelbine®)
Patients can receive mesothelioma chemotherapy before, during, or after surgery to make the procedure more effective. Chemotherapy can also be combined with immunotherapy.
John’s Story: Surviving Stage 4 Mesothelioma With Chemotherapy
Retired construction worker John Stahl was diagnosed with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma, which has an average life expectancy of 12 months, in August 2019. Thanks to chemotherapy, John has beaten the odds and is still enjoying life today.
“I’m doing very well,” John shares. “I play golf twice a week. I go hang out with my friends when they’re around. Yeah, I’m pretty well back to normal.”
Get our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide to read John’s full story and hear from more patients who are still thriving many years after receiving chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy strengthens the immune system so the body can better fight mesothelioma.
Approved immunotherapy drugs for mesothelioma include:
- Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) + chemotherapy
- Opdivo® and Yervoy® (ipilimumab and nivolumab) + chemotherapy
Researchers have discovered that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy or surgery may significantly benefit mesothelioma patients. The PrE0505 trial, for instance, found that patients given chemotherapy and the immune checkpoint inhibitor Imfinzi® lived 20.4 months on average.
More immunotherapy drugs are being studied in clinical trials and may someday be approved as mainstream mesothelioma treatments.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams, like electrons or protons, to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. It’s more commonly used for pleural mesothelioma than peritoneal mesothelioma because it can harm abdominal organs.
Radiation helps manage mesothelioma symptoms by shrinking painful tumors pressing on nearby nerves and bones.
There are two standard types of radiation therapy for mesothelioma:
- External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common type and is administered through the skin from outside the body.
- Brachytherapy works by placing a radioactive device inside a patient’s tumor, allowing higher doses of radiation to target more specific places than EBRT can.
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation being tested in mesothelioma clinical trials. This emerging mesothelioma treatment allows doctors to more precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues, reducing the potential risk and severity of side effects.
Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects
The fast-moving nature of mesothelioma cancer means treatments can also be aggressive. Side effects of treatment are common and vary depending on the type of therapy a patient receives.
Some common mesothelioma treatment side effects include:
- Changes in appetite
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Nausea
- Skin irritation
These side effects can be challenging and may even lead some patients to opt out of treatment. But there are many ways to alleviate the discomfort, including through medications, alternative therapies, supplements, diet changes, and more.
Don’t let fear of side effects keep you from potentially life-extending mesothelioma treatment options. Talk to your doctor about common side effects and how you can manage them.
Get ready for your next appointment by downloading our Free Checklist of 14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor.
Additional Mesothelioma Treatment Options
In addition to the standard treatment options for mesothelioma, emerging and alternative therapies may also help. Learn more below and be sure to ask your doctor which options may be right for you.
Emerging Treatments in Clinical Trials
Researchers continue to study new and more effective options for treating mesothelioma. These emerging mesothelioma treatments are available for patients to access in clinical trials until they’re approved for widespread use.
Emerging mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Gene therapy to modify the DNA of mesothelioma cells to kill or slow the growth of the cancer
- Mesothelioma vaccines to attack cancer cells or keep them from growing
- Photodynamic therapy to destroy cancer tumors using a light-sensitive medication
- Targeted therapies to attack cancer cells directly while reducing harm to healthy tissues
Clinical trials cost nothing to join and provide another option if other mesothelioma treatments aren’t working. Participating in a clinical trial also helps advance future mesothelioma treatment options for other patients facing this aggressive cancer.
“Ongoing cancer research trials are looking at different immunotherapies and targeted therapies, specifically for patients who harbor unusual mutations in the DNA of their particular tumor type.”
Palliative Care
Palliative care is any treatment that can improve a patient’s quality of life by managing their symptoms and reducing pain.
Palliative mesothelioma treatment can benefit patients who are already receiving standard treatments, as well as those whose cancer has spread too far to be treated with surgery or chemotherapy.
Palliative care options for mesothelioma may include:
- Chemotherapy/radiation: Besides helping improve life expectancy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can decrease pain by shrinking any tumors pressing on bones, nerves, or major blood vessels.
- Pain medication: Patients may be prescribed certain medications for mesothelioma pain management.
- Surgery: Examples of palliative surgeries include talc pleurodesis, thoracentesis, and paracentesis. These procedures can help mesothelioma patients with painful fluid buildup around the lungs or abdomen.
Getting palliative care early on in your mesothelioma treatment can help manage symptoms, reduce pain, and enhance your quality of life from the start. Certain research suggests patients who receive early-stage palliative care live longer than those who don’t.
“There’s a lot of support out there, but patients don’t always know where to look. That’s why Patient Advocates can be so helpful — we connect you to those resources.”
Alternative Treatment
Alternative and complementary treatments have helped some patients reduce stress, alleviate symptoms or treatment side effects, and improve their overall well-being.
Alternative mesothelioma treatments aren’t a replacement for professional cancer care but can be used alongside traditional therapies to support the body’s healing.
Common alternative therapies include:
- Acupuncture
- Herbal medicine
- Massage therapy
- Meditation
- Yoga
Diet and Nutrition
Eating well may not be the first thing on your mind after a mesothelioma diagnosis, but the foods you choose can play a big role in how you feel during treatment.
Proper diet and nutrition can help you:
- Heal faster from surgery
- Increase your physical energy
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage treatment side effects
- Reduce your risk of infection
Many cancer centers have dietitians to help patients manage their nutrition before, during, and after mesothelioma treatment. You can also download our Free Mesothelioma Nutrition Guide for guidance on your diet.
Life Expectancy With Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma has an average life expectancy of 12-21 months with treatment. However, treatment from a mesothelioma specialist has helped many patients become survivors and spend more time with their loved ones.
Long-term survivor Arthur “Art” Putt hesitated to undergo treatment when he was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in 2018. He credits his wife, Jan, for encouraging him to see a specialist.
Art’s doctor recommended chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which helped him far outlive his initial prognosis of 6-12 months and become a mesothelioma survivor. He also credits a nutritious, anti-inflammatory diet with helping him manage treatment side effects and regain his strength.
“I survived mesothelioma because of my wife talking me into getting treatment, which I wasn’t going to do.”
Doctors Who Treat Mesothelioma
Doctors at cancer centers across the country specialize in mesothelioma treatment and have decades of experience helping patients.
Some top mesothelioma doctors are highlighted below:
- Dr. Raphael Bueno, pleural mesothelioma specialist
- Dr. Raja Flores, pleural mesothelioma specialist
- Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler, peritoneal mesothelioma specialist
- Dr. Daniel Labow, peritoneal mesothelioma specialist
- Dr. Mecker Moller, peritoneal mesothelioma specialist
- Dr. Taylor Ripley, pleural mesothelioma specialist
Military veterans with mesothelioma can also receive specialized care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans can make appointments with highly trained doctors and surgeons at several VA treatment centers.
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
Hospitals that specialize in mesothelioma cancer treatment can help give you or your loved one a better chance at fighting this disease.
Some top mesothelioma cancer treatment centers include:
- Baylor Lung Institute — Houston, TX
- Duke Cancer Center — Durham, NC
- Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN
- MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, TX
- National Cancer Institute — Bethesda, MD
- Van Elslander Cancer Center — Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
These centers offer comprehensive mesothelioma treatment options from doctors with specialized knowledge.
Find the best mesothelioma treatment for you by getting connected with a top specialist. Use our Free Doctor Match service to find a cancer center near you.
Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
Treating mesothelioma cancer is expensive, and costs can quickly rise — especially if you need to fly out of state or drive long distances to see a specialist.
Between doctor’s visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and chemotherapy sessions, the total cost of mesothelioma treatment can easily exceed $400,000 per year. These costs can have a long-term financial impact on your family.
Your out-of-pocket expenses may include:
- Daily living assistance
- Gas and parking fees
- Hotel stays
- Long-term care
- Meals
- Medication co-pays
- Respite for caregivers
- Transportation
The good news is that there’s financial compensation available for mesothelioma patients who qualify for legal help. Most mesothelioma claims award $1 million or more in total compensation — money that can cover treatment costs and provide peace of mind for your family.
“The results of my mesothelioma lawsuit have taken away the monetary concerns associated with cancer, which are treatment, transportation, and meeting your everyday bills.”
Get Help Starting Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment is critical to fighting this aggressive asbestos-related cancer and maintaining a good quality of life.
If you or a loved one is newly diagnosed, start by:
- Finding a specialist who can develop your treatment plan
- Building a support system to assist with your recovery
- Considering how you’ll pay for medical care and other expenses
Mesothelioma Hope can help get you started on your treatment journey today. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to find the best specialists near you.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the doctors listed above. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact these mesothelioma specialists directly.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options FAQs
Is mesothelioma treatable?
Yes, mesothelioma can be treated. Although there’s no cure yet, treatment options have come a long way in recent years.
Most mesothelioma patients benefit from a combination of therapies that help reduce symptoms, slow down cancer spread, and give them more time with loved ones.
These mesothelioma treatments help to manage cancer and improve quality of life so patients can continue to do the things they enjoy.
What is the best treatment for mesothelioma?
The best treatment for mesothelioma depends on where your cancer is located, how advanced it is, and if you have any other medical conditions that affect your overall health.
A mesothelioma doctor can work with you to determine the best course of treatment based on the risk factors, side effects, and potential benefits.
Contact us today at (866) 608-8933 for help scheduling an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist.
What is the first-line treatment for mesothelioma?
Chemotherapy is usually the go-to treatment for mesothelioma, often with drugs like pemetrexed and cisplatin to help slow tumor growth.
These drugs not only kill cancer cells but can also help relieve mesothelioma symptoms like chest pain and breathing issues, making patients more comfortable.
Is it worth having chemo for mesothelioma?
Chemotherapy is worth it for many mesothelioma patients because it can help relieve symptoms and may even extend life expectancy.
Getting chemotherapy is a personal choice best made with input from your mesothelioma doctor, who can explain the potential benefits and common side effects.
What is the new mesothelioma treatment?
There are dozens of clinical trials currently running to identify new treatments for mesothelioma.
- Antiangiogenic drugs like Lenvima® and Avastin® — which work by blocking blood vessel growth in cancer tumors — are currently being tested in combination with chemotherapy for mesothelioma.
- Vaccines are also gaining traction as promising a new treatment for mesothelioma. One example is the UV-1 cancer vaccine, which received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after showing a 27% improvement in survival rates in a phase III clinical trial.
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