How is Mesothelioma Treated? - Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed and staged, treatment options can be discussed and chosen. There are a number of different therapies and courses of action that can be taken in treating this deadly form of asbestos-related cancer. The most common of these are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and in many cases a multi-modality approach that uses more than one of these is used and has been found to provide the most promising results.

surgery and chemotherapy

In addition to providing treatment in order to prolong survival, many of the therapies used for patients have the goal of providing relief from symptoms. These are known as palliative treatments, and they may be used for patients in all stages of the disease. There are also a number of alternative therapies being used to provide relief, and researchers are pursuing a number of experimental programs through clinical trials. These include immunotherapy, gene therapy and photodynamic therapies.



Surgery is offered with two separate goals in mind — it can be either curative or palliative. Curative therapy is generally offered to the healthiest patients who are in the disease’s earliest stages, while palliative is meant for late stage treatments to provide relief from uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Chemotherapy uses chemicals and medications to attack cancer cells. It can both shrink the tumors and kill the cells, thus stopping the spread of the disease as well as providing relief from pain and discomfort.

While traditional treatments and therapies can be a powerful way to battle mesothelioma, having a clear mind and positive outlook can help the treatment process. One of the biggest obstacles when dealing with a dangerous diseases is high stress levels.

If you can find a way to keep your stress levels at a minimum, you’ll find your life changing for the better. Some mesothelioma patients opt for meditation and yoga classes, while others find that religion brings them comfort and reduces stress. Others options to reduce stress include long walks in nature, reading inspirational books, dancing, and listening to uplifting music.

Diet also plays a huge role in the treatment process. In fact, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet while undergoing treatment. This can be difficult when chemotherapy leaves you nauseated, making it difficult to eat or drink. However, to avoid medical conditions such as anorexia and cachexia, you need proper nutrition so that your body can maintain the correct weight while boosting your strength.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cancer patients should eat foods that consist of green, leafy vegetables (preferably uncooked), foods with high amounts of calcium, iron, and vitamin B, lean meats and poultry, seafood, nuts, and dairy. If you find it too difficult to maintain a proper diet while going through treatment, talk to your physician about taking supplements.

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