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 removes visible tumors, helping to reduce the overall cancer burden in the body.
- Chemotherapy uses cancer-killing drugs that can be delivered through the bloodstream or applied directly to the chest or abdomen, often during or after surgery.
- Radiation therapy directs high-energy X-rays or particles at tumors to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- Immunotherapy involves giving infusions of medications that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Clinical trials allow patients to participate in studies that test new and potentially more effective mesothelioma treatments or advanced therapies.
- Palliative care relieves pain, eases symptoms, and improves comfort and quality of life.
- Multimodal therapy combines multiple mesothelioma treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, to destroy as much of the cancer as possible.
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.
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.
“I survived mesothelioma because of my wife talking me into getting treatment, which I wasn’t going to do.”
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.
Registered Nurse Amy Fair discusses standard mesothelioma treatments and how patients can pick the best option. Call (866) 608-8933 today to connect with Amy and get your medical questions answered. View Transcript.
Duration: 2 min 01 sec
What do I need to know about mesothelioma treatments?
It’s really important for your doctors, your oncologists, your surgeons to explain to you what stage you’re in – to explain to you what type of mesothelioma you have. You have to understand your disease, you have to understand the type of disease, and you have to understand the stage of the disease. Many people have to make decisions as far as quality and quantity of life.
What are my treatment options for mesothelioma?
The standard treatment options for mesothelioma is a surgical approach. In pleural mesothelioma, they will offer the patient a pleural decortication where they strip the lining of the lung. They may offer to the patient a pneumonectomy and that is removing the whole lung, not just the lining. They may offer radiation to shrink the tumor first. Also, radiation gives them palliative care if that tumor is pressing on vital organs or nerves and causing pain, they may want to go in and do radiation first to shrink that tumor. Then of course there is the chemotherapy approach, and again sometimes multiple modalities are used. Surgical approach, radiation, and chemotherapy. It is a clinical individual fit for that particular person.
How can I decide what treatment is best for me?
When deciding what treatment modality is best for you it’s important to communicate with your surgeon, to communicate with your oncologist. You need to get an understanding on their thoughts if you’re a candidate for chemotherapy. Are you a candidate to have surgery? Although all that is very important, the individual decision for what type of therapy lies within the mesothelioma patient.
Types of Treatment for Mesothelioma
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, depending on whether you’ve been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (which forms in the lung lining) or peritoneal mesothelioma (which forms in the abdominal lining).
These 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.
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) to remove tumors, the entire lung closest to the cancer, as well as affected parts of the outer pleura (lung lining), diaphragm, and pericardium (heart lining).
- Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) to remove the outer pleura and other diseased tissue without removing the affected lung.
Seeing a mesothelioma specialist instead of a general surgeon is key to determining whether you qualify for surgery and which procedure would 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
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.
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.
Use our Free Doctor Match service today to connect with a specialist and explore your options for mesothelioma treatment.
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 fail or stop 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 include:
- Alternative treatment: Acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and exercise have helped some patients reduce stress and improve their overall well-being. Alternative mesothelioma treatments aren’t a replacement for professional cancer care but can be used alongside traditional therapies.
- 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.”
How Diet & Nutrition Affect Mesothelioma Treatment
Eating healthy and getting proper nutrition is critical for mesothelioma patients 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.
Download our Free Mesothelioma Nutrition Guide for meal tips and other helpful advice to support your treatment and recovery.
Doctors Who Treat Mesothelioma
Doctors at cancer centers across the country specialize in mesothelioma treatment and have many years, if not decades, of experience helping patients.
Some top mesothelioma doctors are highlighted below:
Dr. Robert Cameron
Pleural mesothelioma specialistChief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Dr. Daniel M. Labow
Peritoneal mesothelioma specialistChair of Surgical Services at Nuvance Health Praxair Cancer Center in Danbury, CT
Dr. Mecker Moller
Peritoneal mesothelioma specialistDirector of the Regional Therapies Program at University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Raja Flores
Pleural mesothelioma specialistChairman for the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
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.
Get the most out of your mesothelioma treatment – download our Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor to explore every option and make informed decisions about your care.
Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
Treating mesothelioma cancer is expensive, especially if you need to fly out of state or drive long distances to visit a cancer center.
Between doctor’s visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and chemotherapy sessions, the total cost of mesothelioma treatment can easily exceed $400,000. 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 — 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 and 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 connect with one of our Patient Advocates.
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.
Treatment of Mesothelioma FAQs
Can mesothelioma be treated?
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 most common 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.
What is the prognosis for mesothelioma patients with treatment?
The average mesothelioma prognosis is 12-21 months with treatment. However, many patients live much longer than this, especially if they have access to early palliative care and treatment from an oncologist (cancer doctor) who specializes in mesothelioma.
A positive mindset and a strong support system can also play an essential role in improving your prognosis and overall well-being.
What is the best treatment for mesothelioma?
The best way to treat 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.
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 latest treatment 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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