Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? You Have Treatment Options

Between 2,000 and 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year. Early detection is key for the best results from treatment. There are three major options for treating mesothelioma: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Most doctors opt for multimodal therapy; utilizing various treatments in a customized plan for each patient depending on the type of cancer. Various clinical studies and alternative treatments are also available. Knowing your options can be empowering. You can talk to your doctor and do your own research on alternative treatments and current clinical studies to learn more. For information about the legal side of your case, speak with BCH today.

Surgery for Mesothelioma

Surgery is an option for those with certain forms of mesothelioma and may be highly effective if the cancer is caught early. Less aggressive forms of surgery may be used for palliative purposes—easing pain and painful symptoms. Some mesothelioma surgeries include:

• Peritonectomy / cytoreductive
• Thoracotomy
• Wedge resection
• Lobectomy
• Thoracentesis
• Paracentesis
• Pleurodesis
• Biopsy
• Thoracoscopy
• Pleurectomy / decortication (P/D)
• Extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP)

Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

Even if you are a candidate for surgery, your doctor may use chemotherapy and / or radiation as well in order to ensure the best results possible. Chemotherapy has been effectively used in treating almost all cancers. Chemotherapy drugs are admitted, in most cases, through intravenous injection.

These medications are designed to target and eliminate cancerous cells.

Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma

One of the benefits of radiation therapy is that it is not invasive.

Usually, radiation therapy is used with other cancer treatments, such as surgery and / or chemotherapy. Intraoperative radiation can be used to kill or shrink tumors during surgery. External beam radiation utilizes highly focused rays to target cancerous tumors.

Find a mesothelioma treatment center.

Are Alternative Treatments for Mesothelioma Available?

There are emerging new treatments, alternative treatments, and clinical trials available for treating mesothelioma. Many patients find comfort and hope in researching alternative treatments and medications, often in addition to the treatment plans prescribed by their doctors. Research the IAT Clinic in the Bahamas as well as the Annie Appleseed Project, a non-profit organization focused on alternative therapy designed to build up the immune system.

Knowing your options is empowering, and your care should be your choice.

Examples of emerging treatments include:

• Immunotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy
• Gene therapy

Examples of complementary / alternative treatments include:

• Substances derived from the moringa plant
• Acupressure / acupuncture
• Cannabis oil
• Chinese herbal medicine
• Reiki

Pain management techniques include:

• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Medical marijuana
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Aromatherapy
• Naturopathy

Can Your Diet Impact Mesothelioma?

While eating well doesn’t cure mesothelioma, it can help you feel better and it can help your body’s immune system work for you. Making sure you get plenty of nutrition can also help your body deal with the harshness and toxicity of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

How Much Does Mesothelioma Treatment Cost?

Treatment for mesothelioma can be expensive. This is especially true if you do not have health insurance. While every diagnosis is different, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars in treating a cancer diagnosis. Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, with only about 2,000 to 3,000 new diagnoses in the U.S. every year. For this reason, exact numbers are difficult to estimate. Examining procedures and costs of treatment for relatively similar cancers can be helpful.

Costs* for various treatments of mesothelioma may include:

• Surgery – The average cost for lung cancer surgery—a surgery similar to mesothelioma surgery—is almost $40,000.
• Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy drugs are expensive. There is a wide variation in chemotherapy treatment costs, but it can be as much as $30,000 for 8 weeks.
• Radiation – Radiation therapy may cost approximately $2,000 per month of treatment, on estimated average.

*These costs are approximate at the time of writing and may have changed.

Know Your Legal Rights & Options

The only known cause for mesothelioma cancer is exposure to asbestos, a dangerous substance used in construction, manufacturing, and other industries for years due to its heat resistant and fire retardant capabilities. By the 1980s, asbestos was banned after its link with mesothelioma was confirmed. Many industries knew about the dangers of asbestos, yet failed to protect their workers. This is wrong. At BCH, we believe in fighting for the rights of our clients and holding responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Our national mesothelioma attorneys can represent you.

For information about the legal side of your case, or to speak with BCH in a free case evaluation, call (713) 425-7100 now.