Malignant mesothelioma
prognosis is poor, as often the disease will be diagnosed in its
later stages after symptoms have appeared. However, there are several
treatment options for the management of the cancer. Among these are mesothelioma
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection.
Chemotherapeutic and radiation therapy methods are more likely but
surgery is often an option for those whose disease is diagnosed early
enough.
More aggressive therapies are now possible for patients with
mesothelioma diagnosed in its earlier stages. For instance, extrapleural
pneumonectomy is now possible in many pleural mesothelioma patients
who are deemed eligible for aggressive surgery. Extrapleural
pneumonectomy involves the removal of the entire affected lung, the
pericardium, the pleura, and the diaphragm. This aggressive surgery is
performed frequently in early stage mesothelioma patients by Dr.
David Sugarbaker at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.
Patient's who are eligible to receive an aggressive surgery, like an
extrapleural pneumonectomy, will have a far more favorable prognosis
than those diagnosed with advanced stage inoperable disease. However,
there are treatment options for nearly all mesothelioma patients.
Chemotherapy cocktails such as the use of Alimta®
in conjunction with Cisplatin,
as well as numerous other clinical trial being carried out give
mesothelioma patients the ability to slow the advance of the disease and
extend survival rates.
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