Mesothelioma Stage 4 Treatment
When a person gets diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, it is usually a sign that the cancer has spread to distant tissues and organs. This stage is the most advanced, with more severe symptoms and worst outlook.
Surgical methods are typically not viable at this stage because of the cancer's spread. However, the advent of new treatments such as immunotherapy offer more options for mesothelioma patients in late-stage.
Chemotherapy
Mesothelioma stage 4 means the cancer has spread beyond the lungs to surrounding organs and tissues, such as the heart or kidneys. This makes it more difficult for doctors to remove tumors surgically. Using chemotherapy drugs to shrink or stop cancer from growing can help doctors reduce symptoms and prolong life.
The type of mesothelioma and the general health of a person can affect the likelihood of survival. For example, epithelial mesothelioma patients have better outcomes than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma sufferers. The location of the tumour is also crucial. Pleural mesothelioma is found in the lining of the lung. Other types are found in the lining of the chest, abdomen and testicles.
Many patients with mesothelioma are not able to undergo surgery due to the cancer having already spread to a large extent. The doctors focus on pain relief treatments like fluid-draining and chemotherapy, to improve the quality of life of patients.
Chemotherapy involves giving a combination of cancer-fighting medications into a patient's body via an intravenous line. The drugs can be delivered either prior to or after radiation therapy or surgery dependent on the patient's individual needs and preferences. Patients are able to receive chemotherapy at a mesothelioma center, hospital or at home.
A specialist mesothelioma physician is important to consult because mesothelioma can be a difficult disease. A mesothelioma specialist can assist determine the stage of mesothelioma a patient has and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Mesothelioma specialists are specially trained to know the specific characteristics of mesothelioma, including how it develops and the best treatment options for each stage. They can offer emotional support to patients and their families during treatment for mesothelioma.
When a mesothelioma patient's cancer is at stage 4, their outlook is generally poorer than in earlier stages. Mesothelioma is classified based on the body part in which the tumor is located and whether the surgeon believes that it is removable, or resectable through surgery. The type, cell type and location of the tumor are also factors that influence a person's survival from mesothelioma. Resection is not advised for certain types of mesothelioma.
Radiation
Stage 4 mesothelioma can be characterized by the spreading of cancer to other organs and tissues. It's the highest stage of mesothelioma, and is usually accompanied by more aggressive, painful symptoms. This is due to the fact that the tumors have more mobility and can infiltrate different parts of the body.
Because the cancer is more difficult to treat in stage 4, patients are able to expect their chances of survival to be a bit limited. There are still treatments that can improve the quality of life and extend life. The palliative treatment for mesothelioma can include pain relief therapy, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy.
By targeting tumors, a specialized type of radiation known as proton therapy can lessen the side effects of mesothelioma. This therapy is usually administered in a hospital environment. Patients may receive a single session of treatment or multiple sessions over several weeks.
Patients with mesothelioma pleural may be eligible for surgery to remove the lung tissue and as much cancer as is possible. This procedure is known as a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). This surgery is more likely to be successful in the early stages of mesothelioma if the cancer hasn't metastasized.
Chemotherapy is effective for treating mesothelioma that is stage 4. Bevacizumab, a targeted treatment can be incorporated into chemotherapy to improve survival by several months.
Catheters can be used to drain pleural fluids, which is a common mesothelioma side effect. Doctors can also perform medical procedures called thoracoscopic-needle biopsy to biopsy mesothelioma tumours to determine the most effective treatment options.
Patients who live with mesothelioma in stage 4 should seek out palliative care to relieve discomfort and deal with other symptoms. They should also consult with their physician about preparing plans for the end of life. This can reduce stress, improve quality of life and save family members of patients from having to make decisions in the event of a crisis. In addition to these services patients can make small changes to improve their health by diet and exercise. They can start eating healthier food, limit processed sugars and harmful oils and also try activities like meditation or yoga to help them relax.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a promising treatment option for mesothelioma patients. It's not for everyone. Certain cancers only shrink and not completely disappear. However doctors have found that immunotherapy is a useful addition to other treatments and may help prolong the duration of survival.
Immunotherapies are utilized to boost the immune system of a patient so that it is able to reactivate and detect mesothelioma tumor cells. Checkpoint inhibitors, which are the most commonly used form of immunotherapy, are used. These drugs stop certain proteins from blocking the immune system, allowing T-cells to recognize and destroy cancerous cells. These drugs are available through the stage 4 mesothelioma treatment Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. Other forms of immunotherapy include cellular therapy and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Both of these therapies involve removing a patient's own T-cells from their blood, altering them to better recognize cancer cells, then returning them to the body via an intravenous drip.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent form of the disease and is diagnosed in stages 3 and 4. At stage 4 the tumors have spread to the pleura or the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. The symptoms can also be seen in the abdomen with mesothelioma peritoneal. Metastatic mesothelioma will be considered terminal when it reaches stage 4. However there are a variety of options for treatment to relieve symptoms, reduce the pain and improve the quality of life.
Palliative care is an option for patients suffering from mesothelioma regardless of the stage. Patients with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma who receive palliative treatment have a higher survival rate of more than 30 months. Other treatments that increase survival include adding bevacizumab or targeted therapy to chemotherapy.
Researchers are working on methods to detect mesothelioma earlier. One method is to test the blood of a person for soluble mesothelin-related Peptides which are released by cancerous mesothelioma cells and are detectable before symptoms appear. The mesomarker test may lead to an early diagnosis, which could enable doctors to prescribe a more aggressive treatment plan. This method could also result in a longer life time for mesothelioma sufferers.
Palliative Care
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma in stage 4, your doctor will give you a prognosis and treatment plan. Prognoses are based on the length of time others who have the same illness have lived, and treatment plans are designed to increase the life duration.
When mesothelioma is at this advanced stage it indicates that the cancer has spread and become more aggressive. This leads to a less favorable prognosis. This does not mean that you can't receive treatments to extend your life. Patients who receive both palliative as well as standard cancer treatments are more likely to have a positive outcome than those who receive only one of these treatments.
Mesothelioma stage 4 is the most advanced form of asbestos-related cancer. It involves the pleura or lung lining and chest. The most frequent type is pleural mesothelioma however, it can also show in peritoneal and pericardial forms.
In general, doctors won't perform surgery for resection at this stage mesothelioma sufferers because the cancer is too advanced. However, if the cancer is causing symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, they may perform a procedure like thoracentesis/paracentesis or pleurodesis to drain fluid buildup. They can also remove tumors to alleviate symptoms.
Other treatments include palliative or immunotherapy at this point in addition to chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Palliative care can increase survival times by up to 30 months in some patients.
These treatments don't slow or stop the progression of mesothelioma but do reduce the pain and other signs. Those who receive both standard cancer treatment as well as palliative treatment have shorter hospital stays, less trips to the emergency room and live longer as compared to those who only receive standard treatments.
In addition to these treatment options, it is crucial to maintain an appropriate diet to increase your resistance and strength to the adverse effects of mesothelioma treatment. Switching your diet to one that is rich in fruits, vegetables and fluids will help your immune system fight the cancer. Avoid smoking and other toxic substances which are harmful to the lung.