Mesothelioma Stage 3 Treatment
In addition to surgery, patients with mesothelioma stage 3 are able to receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments can reduce symptoms and improve survival rates.
Doctors use the American Joint Committee on Cancer's TNM system to stage pleural mesothelioma. The system evaluates the size of the tumor as well as the extent of lymph node involvement, and much more.
Palliative Treatments
As someone progresses to the final stages of mesothelioma, their treatments become less extensive, and they tend to focus on palliative treatments. This is done to relieve the symptoms, pain, and other discomforts related to mesothelioma as well as its treatments. Palliative care can help patients to improve their quality of life and focus on spending time with loved ones.
It is essential that patients suffering from mesothelioma consult a second doctor and discuss their treatment plan. This can help them determine whether their current treatment is effective or if they need other options that could be beneficial for them. They may also discover new treatment options that they weren't aware of before.
Stage 3 mesothelioma can be characterized by cancer that has spread to adjacent organs. It can trigger discomfort, like stomachaches or chest pains and breathing difficulties. Patients experiencing these symptoms should consult a doctor immediately to avoid misdiagnosis, like bronchitis or pneumonia.
A mesothelioma specialist can suggest alternative treatments for patients in advanced stages of the disease. These treatments can improve the quality of life for patients. These include chemotherapy and pain management.
These treatments do not cure the disease or increase the life expectancy of patients. They do, however, help to reduce or alleviate certain symptoms, such as pain. Doctors can, for example, use electronic devices to send a signal to nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Patients may also receive injections of anesthetics in order to block pain signals.
Chemotherapy
Treatment can improve the outlook of those with mesothelioma at stage 3. Doctors can offer hope to patients based on their individual response to treatment and other factors such as their general health and their age.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using chest X-rays, CT, MRI or PET scans. These tests can detect abnormalities that could 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 because cancer cells can more easily get into the bloodstream and travel to other organs. Because of this, doctors often give patients with mesothelioma stage 3 an a lower chance of survival than those who have stage 1 or 2.
If the mesothelioma has reached stage 3, some surgeons can still remove tumors and other affected tissues that are visible on an imaging test. For instance in the case of pleural mesothelioma a surgical procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) can be carried out.
Many elderly mesothelioma sufferers are unable to tolerate the removal of their lung, which is why some surgeons suggest an alternative procedure that is less invasive, referred to as pleurectomy with décortication (P/D). This procedure eliminates cancerous tissue however it does not remove the diaphragm or lung.
Doctors can use chemotherapy in order to eliminate mesothelioma tumor cells that are left after surgery or have spread elsewhere like lymph nodes. They can administer chemotherapy through intravenous (IV) infusions or subcutaneous injections. Some patients choose to have an IV connection or port device implanted beneath the skin to avoid needles. Others receive oral chemotherapy drugs in pill form or through a vein.
Radiation Therapy
If you are a candidate for surgery, radiation therapy could be used to destroy any remaining cancer cells. It is often combined with chemotherapy to increase the effectiveness of each treatment. This multimodal approach can improve the median mesothelioma stage 3 life duration.
For patients with pleural mesothelioma doctors will conduct imaging tests to see how mesothelioma has gotten into the the chest wall. These tests could include X-rays, CT scans and PET scans. These tests can detect changes in the mesothelioma stage 3 treatment lining of your chest wall that are signs of cancerous tumors. These tests can also detect any fluid in the chest cavity, which is known as a pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed or a procedure called pleurodesis is carried out to stop the accumulation of fluid.
The ability of a patient to undergo surgery is contingent on a variety of factors including their mesothelioma type and the area of their tumors and how well they respond to treatments. Small localized tumors are more straightforward to remove than larger, more widespread ones. Doctors also take into consideration the general health and well-being of the patient when deciding if they should undergo surgery.
If a patient with mesothelioma pleural cannot undergo surgery, other surgeries can be performed to relieve symptoms. These include pleurectomy and décortication. This less invasive procedure eliminates only the pleural lining and any visible tumors, remaining the lung in good condition. Doctors can combine the surgery with a combination chemotherapy like pemetrexed and cisplatin (Alimta).
Mesothelioma clinical trials provide patients with the chance to try new treatments that could boost survival rates. A specialist in mesothelioma can assist patients find the best trial for them. Patients can also find support groups to help remain motivated and fight for survival.
Immunotherapy
At this point, the cancer has spread from the place of origin into nearby lymph nodes and tissues. The symptoms of mesothelioma like chest pain and difficulty breathing due to the accumulation of fluid are usually more severe in this phase.
Mesothelioma staging allows doctors to determine the extent of the cancer and plan the most effective treatment plan. Doctors consider a variety of factors to determine the stage of mesothelioma including the size and location of the tumor as well as whether or not it has reached the tissue of the heart (peritoneal) and the extent to which the cancer has spread.
The staging process also considers the overall health of a patient as well as the distance between the tumor and vital organs like the lungs, heart or diaphragm. If a tumor is too close to an organ that is vital it might not be safe to surgically remove it, even with additional treatment options.
Immunotherapy is an alternative option to treat mesothelioma in stage 3. It works by boosting your body's natural ability against cancerous cells. Doctors can combine immunotherapy with other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy is a range of treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies and cytokines. These treatments are developed to enable cancer cells to be targeted by specific proteins, and to stimulate the immune system to kill these cells.
Patients who receive immunotherapy may also benefit from nutritional support, naturopathic help, oncology rehab and behavioral health services. These treatments can help reduce side effects during treatment and enhance the quality of life. Additionally they can help patients better cope with stress and reduce the impact of mesothelioma on their lives. Patients who live an active lifestyle throughout their treatment have a higher chance of surviving than those who don't. This is particularly true for patients with extensive lymph node involvement in stage 3.
Complementary Therapies
As the disease advances to stage 3 patients with pleural mesothelioma experience worsening symptoms and the cancer can spread to the chest or abdomen. Doctors may conduct a thoracentesis at this stage to drain the lungs of fluids and ease breathing problems.
Patients with mesothelioma can also undergo more invasive surgery like pleurectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Both surgeries remove the lung's lining and part of the diaphragm. Patients are then able to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to improve their prognosis and prolong their life expectancy.
Some doctors recommend combining standard treatments like radiation, surgery and chemotherapy to increase the survival rate of mesothelioma patients. Multimodal therapy is what this is called. In several studies, patients who received a combination therapy had a higher survival rate.
Complementary therapies are alternative health care practices that can help alleviate anxiety and stress, enhance a patient's immune system and alleviate certain cancer symptoms. These methods include acupuncture, yoga, tai-chi, meditation and relaxation techniques.
Patients are able to discuss complementary treatments with their mesothelioma physician or nurse. They should still take their prescribed medication and follow the treatment plan.
If they have any concerns regarding asbestos exposure or how it may affect their health, mesothelioma patients should seek legal advice from an attorney for mesothelioma. Attorneys can help victims obtain compensation through an asbestos lawsuit and pursue other government benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance or VA benefits for veterans.
Most asbestos victims don't realize they have mesothelioma before it reaches the fourth or third stage. For the right diagnosis and treatment, asbestos victims should seek out a mesothelioma specialist. Learn more about mesothelioma stages and how they impact the prognosis of patients in our free Mesothelioma Guide.