Many of these treatments are what most people would describe as “holistic” in nature. They’ll treat the patient not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Because they are considered “alternative” or “unconventional” and are generally not approved by doctors for the treatment of the disease, these therapies are usually not covered by most medical insurance policies.

Some patients opt to use only these treatments, foregoing traditional therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation in favor of those which do not produce debilitating side effects. Others use these alternative therapies as a complement to traditional therapies, hoping to use every resource available to them to achieve as much success as possible in fighting the disease and its troublesome symptoms.

Most doctors will not discourage the use of such treatments as the comfort of the patient is their utmost concern. However, it is important to tell your doctor if you are considering such therapies while undergoing traditional treatment because there are some instances (such as with nutritional supplements) that may interfere with the conventional mesothelioma treatment.

Alternative treatments for mesothelioma include:

Acupuncture – The art of acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to relieve pain. Mesothelioma victims seek acupuncture treatments to decrease the intense pain often caused by the disease so that they may enjoy a better quality of life. Acupuncture involves the insertion of long, thin needles into certain points on the body. Acupuncture specialists know where to insert the needles in order to control pain in a particular part of the body and treatment may be done as often as deemed necessary.

Massage – Various forms of massage therapy are used by mesothelioma patients in order to reduce both pain and stress. Many maintain that massage is by far the best way for patients with terminal diseases to enjoy some time of relaxation. Massage works by applying tension, pressure, and motion to the soft tissues of the body, which include tendons, muscles, ligaments, and lymphatic tissue. Massage may also aid is reducing nausea, which is often a side effect of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Patients can see a specially-trained massage therapist for these treatments, which may also be administered by a chiropractor. As with acupuncture, massage can be performed as often as the patient wishes.

Herbs and Nutritional Supplements – Most often used as a complement to traditional therapies, the use of herbs and nutritional supplements have proven helpful to some mesothelioma patients. Though they’re efficacy is not verified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some herbs and supplements claim to boost the immune system while others attest to slowing the progression of cancers such as pleural mesothelioma. (Always tell your doctor which natural supplements or herbs you are considering before you take them so as not to interfere with regular treatment. Some herbs may reduce the potency of certain chemo drugs.)

TENS therapy – Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) involves the placing of electrodes on the nerve pathway, which then produce an electrical current that is said to stimulate the production of a morphine-like substance in the brain. This substance may serve to reduce pain. Many mesothelioma patients seeking a fairly non-invasive form of palliative treatment have tried TENS therapy, with some success.

Meditation – Proponents of meditation claim that it increases the body’s immune function, but most patients use it to reduce stress and pain, not unlike massage. Meditation has been an important part of many Eastern religions for more than 5,000 years and involves bringing about a healthy state of relaxation for the individual involved in meditating. Meso patients who meditate are taught how to be aware of the mind and the attitudes that produce stress.

Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy is a type of therapy that falls under the guise of alternative medicine, typically through the use of different essential oils derived from plants. Though aromatherapy as use of essential oils for treatment purposes has roots in ancient times, aromatherapy as it exists today is a decidedly Western idea. Aromatherapy in the modern sense began as a French practice during the First World War when a perfume chemist began selling essential oils that when burned, eased the recovery from Gangrene in soldiers.

Hynotherapy

For now, surgeries associated with mesothelioma are usually done for palliative purposes; that is, to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, such as pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and other problems that infringe on the quality of life of most meso patients. In some instances, these procedures may also prolong the life of the patient, even though they offer no cure.

Surgical Options

A number of surgical procedures have been recommended for mesothelioma patients. Some are quite simple and may be performed more than once, while others are quite drastic and are done as a last resort. Your doctor will determine which procedures may be appropriate for your mesothelioma treatment, usually in order to help you remain more comfortable as your disease runs its course. Here are the most common types of surgery suggested for a mesothelioma victim:

Thoracentesis – This is probably the most frequent surgical procedure performed on mesothelioma patients. Thoracentesis involves the aspiration of fluid from the area around the lungs. The removal of the fluid can make the patient more comfortable and temporarily relieve symptoms of the disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. Thoracentesis is generally done on an outpatient basis but may be done in the hospital if the patient is considered high risk or if the procedure is done in conjunction with another procedure. Pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma can also be addressed with a similar procedure, which drains fluid from either the sac around the abdomen or the heart, depending on the type of mesothelioma.

Pleurodesis – This procedure involves the injection of talc or other chemicals into the chest cavity, which causes scarring and prevents fluid from returning. The American Cancer Society reports that this procedure has about a 90% success rate and that it will eliminate or significantly reduce the build-up of fluid at least temporarily in a majority of patients. Because this is a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia, a short hospital stay is in order.

Pleurectomy – A more complicated surgical procedure, the pleurectomy involves removal of the pleura – the lining of the lung – where the tumor is located. Also a palliative procedure, this surgery can prevent fluid build-up, therefore improving breathing and relieving pain. This procedure is also known as decortication.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy- By far the most extensive surgical procedure and offered to just a handful of mesothelioma patients, the extrapleural pneumonectomy involves the surgical removal of the pleura lining the chest wall, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The diaphragm and the pericardium are then reconstructed with prosthetic material. Only individuals who have localized mesothelioma of the epithelioid type are candidates for this surgery, which is usually not performed unless the doctor believes there is some chance for cure. Those for whom the surgery is recommended must be in overall good health and able to withstand a major operation with a long recovery period. Only a handful of doctors perform this surgery so travel to a major medical center may be necessary in order to proceed with an extrapleural pneumonectomy.

How Does Radiation Work?

High dose radiation kills cancerous cells that are found in the body of a person suffering from mesothelioma or any other cancer. Technically, the radiation destroys cancer cells at the molecular level and keeps them from reproducing. It is especially adept at killing cells that replicate quickly, such as those associated with mesothelioma.

Unlike chemotherapy, however, radiation therapy is a localized mesothelioma treatment which kills only the cells in the area to which the radiation is applied. It is not helpful in treating cancer which has metastasized – spread to other parts of the body.

Types of Radiation

Traditionally, there have been two types of radiation therapy available to cancer patients.

External radiationThe most common form of radiation therapy, external radiation is achieved by means of an x-ray machine which aims radioactive waves at the tumor or affected portion of the body. The procedure is fairly quick and is accomplished on an outpatient basis. How many radiation treatments a patient requires will depend on individual cases and include factors such as stage of the disease and size and location of the tumor.

Internal radiationAlso known as Brachytherapy, this type of radiation involves planting radioactive material into the cancerous tissue. It allows for the implementation of higher doses in a single treatment or is suggested for patients with tumors that are located deep inside the body and are unable to be reached by traditional external radiation. Patients must be admitted to the hospital for internal radiation, and because exposure to the patient may cause danger to others due to radioactivity, visitors will be limited for the first few days. Implants such as these may be temporary or permanent.

Radiation and Mesothelioma

Some mesothelioma patients are not candidates for radiation therapy while the treatment may be suggested for others. If also may be offered in tandem with other treatments, like surgery or chemotherapy.

While it is impossible for radiation to cure mesothelioma, doctors often suggest it as a palliative measure in order to relieve some of the uncomfortable side effects of the disease. Radiation therapy has proven quite successful in relieving pain as well as reducing instances of shortness of breath in mesothelioma patients.

Oncologists experienced in the treatment of mesothelioma will be able to determine if and how a particular patient might benefit from radiation therapy. If it is prescribed for you or a loved one, it is essential to stick to the schedule so that the patient receives the most benefit from the treatment.

What to Expect

Once your doctor has determined that you are a candidate for external radiation therapy, he/she will suggest an outpatient facility where you can receive the treatment. If internal radiation therapy is in order, you may be sent to a consult with a surgeon before you receive the treatment. He/she will set up a schedule of treatments as well. The schedule may involve days, weeks, or even months of radiation therapy.

While you will suffer the unpleasant side effects of surgery after Brachytherapy as well as some traditional radiation therapy side effects, the side effects of external radiation are quite mild compared to most other cancer therapies. The downside of radiation is that it can also destroy healthy cells along with cancerous cells. However, these cells will eventually begin to repair themselves.

The most common side effects of radiation therapy are:

• Extreme fatigue
• Redness near the treated area
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss (infrequent)
• Decrease in white blood cells (leaving patient prone to infection)

Dealing with the idea of chemotherapy can be equally as frightening as the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma. Chemo conjures up thoughts of treatments that cause horrible side affects and often leave the patient feeling worse than if they had no treatments at all. However, because advances in chemotherapy drugs and medications to lessen the side affects have decreased some of the unpleasant effects of chemo, patients should remain open to the idea of undergoing this type of treatment and should listen with an open mind.

How Does Chemotherapy Help?

Quite simply, chemotherapy – treatment with a specific cancer drug or combination of drugs – kills cancer cells. Unlike surgery and radiation therapy, which can destroy cancer cells in one particular location, chemotherapy can be used to destroy cells that have metastasized – or spread to other parts of the body.

There are currently about 100 chemotherapy drugs on the market. Though single chemo drugs are sometimes used to treat a particular type of cancer, more often a few of these drugs are used in tandem. This is called combination chemotherapy. Some combinations have proved more helpful than others in fighting mesothelioma and its troublesome symptoms. Because all of these drugs work a bit differently, your oncologist will determine which are best suited to treating your disease. The doctor will also be able to determine the length of your course of treatment as well as the frequency of treatments.

Types of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is received either by means of a pill or intravenously via a needle in the vein. Chemotherapy drugs may be administered 1) systemically – which means that the drugs are carried through the blood stream; or 2) intrapleurally – injected directly into the site of the tumor, with in the case of mesothelioma is usually the pleura, the lining of the lung. Doctors have had some success with both methods.

Chemo and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer, so doctors treat it as aggressively as possible. That includes the use of highly toxic chemo drugs that will, hopefully, help destroy cancer cells while also providing some relief from the bothersome side affects of the disease, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Years ago, doctors opted for single chemotherapy treatments for the disease. Unfortunately, they yielded little more than approximately a 15% success rate, providing minimal relief to the mesothelioma patient. More recently, oncologists and research scientists have determined that the best way to fight mesothelioma is through combination chemotherapy.

Currently, the drugs of choice are a newer drug, Alimta (pemetrexed), combined with Cisplatin, which has been on the market for some time. As a matter of fact, Alimta, when given with cisplatin, is the first and only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma when surgery is not an option.

Other common chemotherapy drugs used to treat mesothelioma include gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and onconase. Researchers continue to experiment with new drugs and new combinations of chemotherapy medications in hopes that they can find the best available to treat the disease and its symptoms.

What to Expect

Chemotherapy is not a miracle drug, especially where mesothelioma is concerned, so it’s necessary to be patient when dealing with the treatment. Most patients receiving chemotherapy for the first time will be especially concerned about side effects. Different chemo drugs have different side effects, but your doctor should be able to tell you what to expect.

Because your doctor has experience with specific chemo drugs, he/she may also be able to tell you when to expect the side effects, how long they’ll last, and what to do about them. These days, there are many options available to help minimize or avoid these side effects so the chemotherapy of today is much different than that of decades or even years ago. Remember, also, that most of these side effects will disappear when the treatment has ended.

The most common chemotherapy side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low white blood cell count (which leaves you prone to infection)
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Low platelet count (which may cause problems with clotting)
• Generalized achy-ness
• Tingling hands and feet
• Rash
• Depression

It’s important to tell your doctor about any side effects you might experience, even if they are noted as “common” side effects of your chemotherapy. High fever, inability to eat or drink, blood in the stool or urine, and signs of infection should be addressed immediately. Your doctor will inform you about other side effects which he/she considers life-threatening.

Chemotherapy Drugs & Fact Sheets

• Alimta
• Carboplatin
• Cisplatin
• Gemcitabine
• Navelbine
• Onconase

Each mesothelioma case is considered individually and there is no right or wrong treatment for the disease. What’s best for you or your loved one will depend on a number of factors. Diagnostic tools such as x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and biopsies will be used to determine these factors and these tests will assist the doctor and/or oncologist in determining the best treatment for the patient in question.

What are the Options?

Cancer treatment usually focuses upon destroying malignant cells and preserving healthy ones. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. At present, mesothelioma patients are faced with three major options for treatment of their disease – surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. What course of treatment is recommended will largely depend on these issues:

• The type of mesothelioma and location of the tumor
• The size of the tumor(s)
• The degree to which the cancer has spread or metastasized
• The stage of the cancer – beginning, advanced, etc.
• The age of the patient
• The overall physical health of the patient

Setting up any type of treatment may involve seeing a variety of doctors, including an oncologist (cancer specialist), pulmonologist (lung specialist), or radiologist. Patience is sometimes necessary, but doctors will no doubt set up treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Surgery

Surgery can be performed on mesothelioma patients for one of two reasons: in an attempt to cure the disease or for palliative reasons in order to keep the patient more comfortable and improve the quality of life. Unfortunately, because mesothelioma is almost always diagnosed in its late stages, curative surgery is not usually an option.

As tests are developed that may help to diagnose mesothelioma at an earlier stage, surgery may become more of an option in the future. At that point, doctors may be able to attempt to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue in an attempt to stabilize the disease.

More often, however, surgery is used as a palliative measure. For example, doctors may opt for a surgery called a pleurodesis, which involves injecting talc into the lungs to prevent fluid from returning. A thoracentesis, a surgical procedure that removes fluid from the lungs by means of a thin needle, may also be recommended.

In severe cases, a pleurectomy may be recommended for palliative purposes. This involves removing the pleura – the lining of the lung – and can control fluid build-up and lessen pain and breathing difficulties.

Radiation Therapy

If a patients health is too fragile for surgery or chemotherapy, radiation is often recommended. Radiation causes the fewest side effects and is usually easier to tolerate than chemo. There are a few different forms of radiation therapy available to meso patients:

External beam radiation – the preferred type to treat mesothelioma, this type of radiation comes from a machine outside the body and is aimed toward affected areas. Usually administered 5-days-a-week for up to 5 weeks, this type of radiation is often used for palliative purposes – to lessen breathing difficulties, pain, bleeding, or difficulty swallowing – but seldom has much of an effect on the mesothelioma tumors. This type of radiation may also be used in addition to surgery.

Brachytherapy – Rarely prescribed for mesothelioma, this kind of radiation places radioactive material directly inside the lung or abdomen.

Chemotherapy

Like radiation, chemotherapy provides no cure for mesothelioma but can go a long way in providing relief from the horrendous symptoms of the disease. As researchers continue to test different combinations of chemotherapy drugs, patients continue to benefit from their findings, and someday, chemo may go a lot further in prolonging the life of a mesothelioma victim.

Chemotherapy is given in pill form or injected. In the case of mesothelioma patients, the drugs are given intrapleurally (into the chest cavity) or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Doctors usually combine two drugs for the best result. Currently, the preferred combination is Alimta© (pemetrexed) and Cisplatin, but other drugs are used in tandem if deemed preferable for a specific patient. In some cases, patients can only tolerate a single drug so only one is used for treatment.

Other drugs are given to the patient to combat the unpleasant side effects of chemo, such as medication to relieve nausea and vomiting or vitamins to replace essential ones lost during chemotherapy.

Some patients decide that the side effects of chemotherapy are too severe and opt not to receive this treatment.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are the study of promising new treatments for a particular disease. These trials are constantly in need of patients who are willing to try these experimental treatments before they are approved by the FDA. Patients should speak to their doctors about current clinical trials available to them and if they might qualify to be a part of a particular study. Those opting to participate in a clinical trial should carefully weigh the pros and cons before agreeing to participate.

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies include potential treatment for a disease or its symptoms that are not part of the conventional treatment generally recommended for patients with the disease. These might include the use of vitamins or herbs or participation in therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or hypnosis.

A Mesothelioma Cure

Following the backlash of asbestos-related exposures and illnesses, many people were wondering how scientific research was going to proceed. The response has been encouraging, with cancer specialists and other doctors working each day towards a cure for malignant mesothelioma. While a way to completely eliminate the cancer from the body does not presently exist, there are several successful mesothelioma treatment programs as well as clinical trials that are working towards developing a way to eliminate this unfortunate form of cancer.

Treatments for patients of malignant mesothelioma commonly fall in line with treatment of other lung and lung-related cancers. Curative treatments are those which remove the cancer from the body completely. While there are no cures for mesothelioma, any treatment could theoretically be curative, so long as it is successful in completely removing the cancer from the body. While the treatment may be curative, it is important to remember that curative treatments do not rule out the recurrence of the disease.

While curative treatments may not prevent the disease from recurring, it is important to be aware of current initiatives that are working towards a total cure for the disease. There have been instances of unique treatment programs that have prevented the recurrence of the disease for several years. Paul Krauss was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997 and given only a few months to live by his physician. Today, Paul Krauss is still alive and active and has dedicated himself towards spreading awareness of the disease and working with others in developing treatment programs that would be as successful as his has been.

Combination treatments, which integrate two or more different treatment options, such as surgery coupled with radiation, or surgery paired with radiation and chemotherapy have been successful in extending life expectancies. Researchers believe that when the right combination of therapies is found, prognoses will be far longer than anyone could have imagined when the disease first manifested. Technology has also afforded new possibilities to mesothelioma patients. CT (Computer Topography) scans have been able to map three-dimensional images of the body’s internal organs for targeted chemotherapy or radiation therapy to be administered.

Another novel technique is being integrated with surgical resections of mesothelioma tumors. Heated chemotherapeutic agents have shown increased proficiency in the elimination of cancer cells. Side effects of chemotherapy have, in the past, prevented physicians from delivering an optimal dosage of the drug. However, a novel procedure known as intracavity heated chemotherapy treatment has integrated these two concepts into a successful program. Heated chemotherapeutic agent is administered directly to the affected area during the surgical removal, destroying any remaining cancer cells in the area and extending prognoses well beyond typical timeframs.

It is through technology and advancements such as these that cancer specialists and physicians are laying the groundwork for a cure.