The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds all the organs in the body. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in this layer of tissue. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 thousand people are afflicted with mesothelioma each year. Exposure to asbestos is one of the main risk factors for this disease. This is the case if you work in it, you are exposed to it at home or if someone you live with is exposed to it on a regular basis. The unfortunate thing about mesothelioma is that it is usually found in an advanced stage. The treatments are utilized as a means to make you feel more comfortable in dealing with your symptoms.
Step 1
Get surgery to improve your breathing. Pleural mesothelioma takes place in the chest which causes difficulty in breathing and a build-up of fluid. To treat this, surgeons can insert a tube to drain the fluid and also give you shot to prevent the return of fluid. This is a process called pleurodesis.
Step 2
Get tissue removed. Tissue that is affected by mesothelioma in the abdominal cavity, ribs or lungs can be removed to relieve your symptoms. In some instances, a whole lung can be removed along with localized tissue.
Step 3
Get chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with surgery or on its own. Drugs are administered systemically to kill the cancer cells, or if mesothelioma is detected in the chest or abdomen, chemotherapy drugs can be directly injected into these regions. Direct injections enable doctors to use high doses of drugs and it also helps preserve healthy cells.
Step 4
Get radiation. Radiation therapy is a treatment where high-energy beams of light get shot down on the areas where you have mesothelioma to reduce symptoms. As there are sensitive organs in the chest cavity, low doses of radiation are generally used if this is the area affected.
Step 5
Use an aggressive treatment. Combined therapy is generally reserved for younger patients and people who are in the early stages of mesothelioma. This treatment utilizes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation all at the same time, and it can be used when mesothelioma affects the chest or abdomen.
Step 6
Use an alternative therapy to treat breathlessness. Being short of breath is a common occurrence with mesothelioma. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several alternative treatments that have shown promise in dealing with this issue. They include acupuncture, breath training from a physical therapist, relaxation exercises and sitting with a fan in your face.
