Mesothelioma Stage 3 Treatment
Patients with mesothelioma stage 3 may receive radiation therapy and chemotherapy in addition to surgery. These treatments can reduce symptoms and increase the chance of survival.
The TNM system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer is utilized by doctors to stage the melanoma of the pleural region. The staging system evaluates tumor size and extent, lymph node involvement and more.
Palliative Treatments
As someone moves into the latter stages of mesothelioma treatment, their options are less extensive and more focused on palliative treatment. The aim of this is to relieve symptoms of pain, discomfort and other issues that are associated with the disease and its treatments. Palliative care can help patients improve quality of life and concentrate on spending time with loved ones.
It is essential that patients with mesothelioma get a second-opinion and discuss their treatment plan. This can help them determine whether their current treatment works or if they could benefit from different methods. They can also discover new treatment options they didn't know about before.
At the stage 3 of mesothelioma, the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelial linings and into nearby organs. This can result in pain, such as chest pains or stomach aches and breathing problems. Mesothelioma patients experiencing these symptoms should visit an expert as soon as they can to prevent a misdiagnosis, such as a respiratory infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
A mesothelioma expert will recommend alternative treatment options for patients in advanced stages of the cancer. These treatments can improve the quality of life for patients. These include chemotherapy, pain management, and radiation therapy.
These procedures will not cure mesothelioma nor prolong the life expectancy of patients. They do, however, assist in reducing or eliminating certain symptoms, such as pain. For example, doctors can use electrical devices that send a pulsing of electricity to nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Patients can also be given injections of anesthetics to block pain signals.
Chemotherapy
Treatment may improve the outlook of people who have mesothelioma in stage 3. Doctors can give hope to patients based on their individual response they have experienced to treatment as well as other factors, such as age and general health.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by chest X-rays and imaging scans, such as CT, MRI and PET scans. These tests can reveal abnormalities that may be indicative of mesothelioma, such as fluid accumulation or pleural thickness. These tests can confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Once mesothelioma is spread to lymph nodes it becomes harder to treat as cancer cells are more likely to be introduced into bloodstreams and spread to other organs. This is why doctors often give patients who have mesothelioma stage 3 a lower survival rate than those who have stages 1 and 2.
Even if mesothelioma has been diagnosed at stage 3, surgeons are still capable of removing cancerous tissues or tumors that are visible on an imaging test. For example, in pleural mesothelioma, a surgical procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is possible.
Many mesothelioma patients who are elderly are unable to tolerate the removal of their lung, which is why some surgeons suggest the less invasive procedure referred to as pleurectomy with décortication (P/D). This procedure removes the cancerous tissue but not the lung or diaphragm.
Doctors can use chemotherapy to eliminate mesothelioma cancerous cells that are left after surgery or have spread to other areas, such as lymph nodes. They can administer chemotherapy through intravenous (IV) infusions or subcutaneous injections. Some patients opt to have an IV connection device, or port, placed under the skin to prevent needle sticks. Some patients receive oral chemotherapy in pill form or through vein.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a treatment option for those who are not candidates for surgery to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. The use of radiation is usually paired with chemotherapy to enhance the effectiveness of each treatment. This multimodal approach could aid in increasing the life expectancy of mesothelioma in stage 3.
For pleural mesothelioma patients, doctors will perform imaging tests to determine how much mesothelioma has spread into the the chest wall. These tests include X-rays CT scans and PET scans. These tests can detect changes to the lining of your chest wall which are indicators of cancerous tumors. These tests can also identify any fluid in the chest cavity called treat mesothelioma an effusion of the pleural cavity. Doctors can drain the fluid, or perform a procedure to prevent the accumulation of fluid called pleurodesis.
A patient's ability to receive surgery is contingent on a variety of factors including their mesothelioma cell type and location of their tumors, and how they respond to treatments. Small, localized tumors are easier to eliminate than larger, more widespread ones. Doctors also consider the general health and well-being of the patient when deciding whether or not they should undergo surgery.
If a pleural mesothelioma patient cannot receive surgery, they may undergo other surgeries to alleviate symptoms like pleurectomy and decortication. This less invasive procedure eliminates only the pleural lining, and any visible tumors, remaining the lung in good condition. Doctors may combine the procedure with a combination chemotherapy, like pemetrexed and cisplatin (Alimta).
Mesothelioma clinical trials provide patients with the chance to try new treatments that could improve survival rates. A mesothelioma expert can help patients locate the best trial. Patients can also join support groups that can keep them engaged and fight for survival.
Immunotherapy
In this stage, cancer has spread from the place of origin into nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Mesothelioma symptoms, like chest pain and difficulty breathing due to the accumulation of fluid tend to get worse in this stage.
The staging of mesothelioma can help doctors determine the extent and type of cancer, and determine the most effective treatment plan. Doctors stage mesothelioma by considering several factors, including the size and location of the tumors, if the cancer has spread to the lining around the heart (peritoneal), and also how far the cancer has spread.
The staging takes into account a patient's overall health as well as the distance between the tumor and vital organs, such as the lungs, the heart or diaphragm. If a tumor is too close to an organ that is vital, it may not be safe to surgically remove it, even if there are other treatment options.
Immunotherapy is a different option for treating mesothelioma at stage 3. It works by increasing your body's natural immunity to cancer cells. Doctors can combine immunotherapy along with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
Immunotherapy is a wide range of treatments that include cytokines, monoclonal antibody and various other kinds. These treatments are designed for cancer cells to be targeted by specific proteins and to stimulate the immune system to kill these cells.
Patients receiving immunotherapy can also get nutritional assistance, naturopathic help, oncology rehabilitation and behavioral health services. These therapies can help reduce side effects during treatment and improve quality of life. They can also assist patients deal with stress better and reduce the impact mesothelioma causes on their lives. Additionally, patients who are able to live an active lifestyle throughout treatment will often have better survival rates over those who do not. This is particularly true for patients in stage 3 with extensive lymph node involvement.
Complementary Therapies
As the disease progresses, pleural mesothelioma sufferers experience worsening symptoms and the cancer may expand to the abdomen or chest. At this stage doctors may recommend an invasive thoracentesis procedure to drain the body of the lungs of fluid and ease breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma patients may also undergo more aggressive surgeries such as extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy with decortication. Both surgical options eliminate the lining of the lung and a portion of the diaphragm. The patient can then receive radiation or chemotherapy to improve their chances of survival.
Some doctors suggest the combination of standard treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to improve the chances of survival for mesothelioma patients. Multimodal therapy is what is known as. In numerous studies, patients who received a combination therapy had a higher survival rate.
Complementary therapies, which are not traditional methods of healthcare can help to reduce stress and anxiety and boost a patient's immune system. They also can help relieve some cancer symptoms. These practices include acupuncture, tai chi yoga, meditation, yoga, and relaxation methods.
Patients are able to discuss complementary treatments with their mesothelioma doctor or nurse. However, they must continue to take any prescribed medications and follow their treatment program.
If they have any concerns regarding asbestos exposure or how it may affect their health, mesothelioma patients should seek legal advice from a mesothelioma attorney. Attorneys can help victims obtain compensation through an asbestos lawsuit as well as seek other benefits from the government, such as Social Security Disability Insurance or VA benefits for veterans.
Many asbestos sufferers don't realize they have mesothelioma until it has reached the third or fourth stage. Asbestos sufferers should visit a mesothelioma specialist to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about mesothelioma stages and how they affect the prognosis of patients in our free Mesothelioma Guide.