New Mesothelioma Treatment

New Mesothelioma Treatment
By Marcus Peterson

Several new mesothelioma treatments are being developed. Researches mostly revolve around developing new treatments or improving upon the traditional treatments. Hopes are high for mesothelioma patients as new chemotherapy agents and combinations of agents are giving improved results.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new mesothelioma treatment based on the theory that single celled organisms die when exposed to certain frequency of light. For this certain photosensitive drugs are administered intravenously. In a couple of days, the drug concentrates on the diseased cell and destroys it. Skin sensitivity, nausea and vomiting are some of the side effects.

Immunotherapy, sometimes called biological therapy, is another new method in mesothelioma treatment. In this method, the immune system of body is used to treat the disease.

The body’s ability to treat itself might be hampered due to certain reasons. Immunotherapy tries to rejuvenate the immune system and there by improving the natural immune system which is the most effective way to combat any disease.

The therapy also tries to repair immune systems that are faulty. Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are the substances used in immunotherapy. BRMs naturally occur in the body but it can now be prepared in laboratory and is found to give the same effect as the natural ones.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is new treatment used to improve local control of mesothelioma. In this radiation doses can be administered to tumor without causing damage to nearby normal cells.

Treatment at the DNA level is an important breakthrough in science. Gene Therapy tries to correct or replace abnormal genes. Replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy are two main types of gene therapy. In replacement gene therapy the mutated or missing gene which causes mesothelioma is replaced.

In knockout gene therapy, the gene responsible for tumor is completely eliminated. With more and more information regarding genes being unfolded, gene therapy treatment has a promising future in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Treatments which use some combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, called multimodality therapy, are being researched upon. Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and use of pemetrexed drug, brand named Alimta, are some of the new developments in the treatment of mesothelioma.

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New Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Basic Facts

Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Basic Facts
By Kenn Taitano

Before we can start discussing about mesothelioma treatment options it is vital for us to have a clear understanding of what mesothelioma really is. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the linings of lungs and abdominal area caused mainly by exposure to asbestos fibers over an extended period.

It would normally take a long time, anywhere between 30-40 years for mesothelioma to rear up from the time of exposure to asbestos. It is critical to catch this disease early and to treat it in the early stages otherwise it will mostly likely prove to be fatal. There are various mesothelioma treatment options available such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery

There are basically two types of surgeries available for the treatment of mesothelioma, one being aggressive surgery and the other, palliative procedures. Beforethe surgeons start performing any surgery, it is important to check if the heart and lungs are have been affected by the disease or if they functioning properly.

Of the two types of surgery, aggressive surgery, which is also known as Pneumonectomy, is a very complex and invasive surgery performed mainly on younger patients, who are good in health and can better bear the strains of the surgery. Pneumonectomy involves the removal of the excess cancerous pleural membrane. The main purpose of this is to remove as much tumor as possible surgically.

The less agressive surgery, palliative procedures is also known as Pleurectomy. This procedure is done in the early stages of the mesothelioma cancer. The process of this mesothelioma treatment involves the surgical removal of the pleura.

This procedure is used more to lessen and control the symptoms rather than to cure the disease itself. This surgical procedure reduces the pain caused by the cancerous tumor and helps in preventing the recurrence of pleural effusion. The complete removal of tumor is not possible with this procedure.

Chemotherapy

Another mesothelioma treatment option is chemotherapy that combines the use of a variety of drugs for controlling and shrinking the tumor. The success rate is uncertain as some patients show only partial success to this method with the cancer going into remission.

However, some combinations of chemotherapy drugs have proven to be successful. With extensive research into this disease, scientists are in the process of developing new chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma treatments.

Radiation Therapy

Radiatio therapy is another option in the treatment of mesothelioma. It makes use of nuclear radiations that are targetted at the malignant cells to kill them and thus, shrink the tumor. Radiation therapy is however, an extremely difficult procedure to carry out as it can and will damage the healthy cells of the patient's heart, lungs, and other vital organs within the vacinity of the radiation dosage.

Treatment is not just confined to either or of these available treatment options. Combination therapies are also available whereby chemotherapy and radiation therapy are combined along with surgery. This combination helps in killing any remaining tumor cells left after surgery and in relieving symptoms such as pain.

Mesothelioma treatments are very expensive due to the sophisticated equipment, specialist skills required and the length of period required. However the patients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases sustained while working can file lawsuits against their employers for recovery of damages, medical expenses, loss of income, lost earning capacity and pain and sufferings.

The victims of this disease can seek help of expert asbestos attorneys in locating the defendants- persons/companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Basic Facts

Mesothelioma Treatment Costs

Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
By Marcus Peterson

Like all forms of malignant cancers, the overall cost of mesothelioma treatment is very expensive. A mesothelioma patient’s care may be thousands of dollars per month.

The major factors affecting mesothelioma treatment costs include age, side effect of the treatment, the effects of the treatment on the overall health and the probabilities of survival, as well as the stage and severity of disease and the body parts over which the affliction has spread.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction, primarily of three kinds - pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. A variety of treatment options, including surgery, radiology, and chemotherapy, are needed to cure this malady. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage tumors and stop them from further growing and dividing.

Surgery completely removes the afflicted organ or its part. Chemotherapy is a treatment used to kill the tumor cells by injecting medicines intravenously into the ailed areas. The cost of these therapies and follow-up treatments are very high. Occasionally, a combination of two or more treatment method becomes essential to handle the disease.

In general, mesothelioma treatment costs include fees for the physician, significant periods of hospitalization, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.

In certain occasions, the patient and family members must travel far distances to reach a facility where the best mesothelioma treatment is provided. This will incur them the additional expenses of airfare, lodging, and related travel expenses.

Majority of mesothelioma diseases are directly associated to asbestos exposure. It is usually due to the willful carelessness of an employer, who does not issue the necessary warning before offering employment. Hence the liability of bearing mesothelioma treatment cost lies directly with the employer.

The patient should consult an attorney who has a good idea of the cost of treatment. Mesothelioma treatment costs in such cases can be recovered easily from the employer.

Estimate shows that the medical costs associated with this type of treatment exceed $150,000. Mesothelioma treatment costs also differ depending on where the treatment is provided.

Many medical insurance plans available in the market cover mesothelioma treatment costs. Check your health insurance policy to see what sort of coverage you have.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Costs