Mesothelioma Stage 3 Treatment
In addition to surgery, patients in stage 3 mesothelioma are able to receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments can help reduce symptoms and increase the chance of survival.
Doctors rely on the American Joint Committee on Cancer's TNM system to determine the stage of mesothelioma pleural. The system assesses tumor size, extent, lymph node involvement, and much more.
Palliative Treatments
As someone progresses into the latter stages of mesothelioma, treatment options are limited and are more focused on palliative care. The aim of this is to ease symptoms, pain and other discomforts related to the disease and its treatments. Palliative Care can assist patients to concentrate on their loved family members and improve the quality of their lives.
It is essential for patients with mesothelioma to get a second opinion and discuss their treatment plan with an experienced specialist. This will help them determine whether their current treatment is effective or if they would benefit from other methods. They may also discover new treatment options they weren't aware of before.
At stage 3 of mesothelioma the cancer has spread beyond mesothelial linings and into nearby organs. This can cause pain, such as stomachaches or chest pains and breathing difficulties. Patients experiencing these symptoms should see an immediate doctor to avoid misdiagnosis, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Although surgical procedures are usually not available to mesothelioma sufferers in the advanced stages, a mesothelioma specialist can recommend alternative treatments to improve the quality of life for patients. These include pain management and chemotherapy.
These types of procedures do not cure mesothelioma or prolong the life of a patient. They do, however, help to reduce or alleviate some symptoms, including pain. For instance, doctors can use electrical devices that transmit a short electrical pulse to nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Patients can also receive injections of anesthetics in order to block pain signals.
Chemotherapy
For patients who have mesothelioma stage 3 treatment may be able to improve their outlook. Doctors can offer hope for patients based on their own response to therapy and other factors like their general health and age.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed with chest X-rays, CT, MRI or PET scans. These tests can reveal signs of mesothelioma. For instance, the accumulation of fluid or pleural thickening. These tests can also confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
After mesothelioma spreads to the lymph nodes, it becomes harder to treat since cancer cells are more likely be introduced into bloodstreams and travel to other organs. This is the reason doctors frequently give patients with mesothelioma stage 3, a lower rate of survival than those who have stages 1 and 2.
When mesothelioma is stage 3, some surgeons may still remove tumors and damaged tissues that are visible in an imaging test. Extrapleural pneumonectomy may be performed in cases of pleural cancer.
Many elderly mesothelioma sufferers cannot tolerate the removal of their lung, which is why some surgeons recommend the less invasive procedure referred to as pleurectomy with décortication (P/D). This procedure still removes cancer-ridden pleura, but not the entire lung or part of the diaphragm.
The doctor may prescribe chemotherapy to eliminate mesothelioma tumor cells that remain after surgery or that have spread elsewhere, such as lymph nodes. They can administer chemotherapy using intravenous infusions (IV) or subcutaneous injections. Some patients opt to have an IV connection device, a port, implanted under the skin to prevent needle sticks. Some patients receive oral chemotherapy in pill form or via a vein.
Radiation Therapy
The use of radiation therapy is for patients who are not suitable for surgery to remove any remaining cancerous cells. The use of radiation is usually paired with chemotherapy to boost the effectiveness of each treatment. This multimodal approach can improve the median mesothelioma stage 3 time.
For patients with pleural mesothelioma, doctors will perform imaging tests to determine how mesothelioma has gotten into the lining of the chest wall. These tests could include X-rays, CT scans and PET scans. These tests can detect changes in the wall of the chest, which are signs of cancerous tumors. These tests can also reveal any fluid that is present in the chest cavity referred to as an effusion of the pleural cavity. Doctors can drain the fluid or carry out a procedure to prevent fluid buildup called pleurodesis.
A patient's ability to receive surgery depends on a number of factors, including the type of mesothelioma cells they have, the location of their tumors and how they respond to treatments. Small, localized tumors are more straightforward than larger, more extensive tumors to remove. Additionally, doctors take into account the patient's health and general wellbeing when deciding if they can undergo surgery.
If a patient suffering from mesothelioma pleural cannot undergo surgery, other procedures can be performed to relieve symptoms. These include décortication and pleurectomy. This less-invasive procedure removes the pleural lining and any visible tumors, keeping the lung intact. Doctors perform this procedure in conjunction with a combination of chemotherapy, such as pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin.
Mesothelioma clinical trials give patients the opportunity to receive new treatments that may improve survival rates. A mesothelioma specialist can help patients choose the right trial. Patients can also find support group to help them keep their focus and fight for their survival.
Immunotherapy
In this stage the cancer has spread beyond its original site to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Mesothelioma symptoms usually become more severe in this stage, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing due to the accumulation of fluid.
Mesothelioma staging helps doctors determine the extent of cancer and plan the most effective treatment plan. Doctors use several factors to stage mesothelioma, including the location and size of the tumor, whether or not it has penetrated the lining of the heart (peritoneal) and the extent to which the cancer has spread.
Staging also takes into consideration a patient's general health and the distance or proximity of the tumor is from vital organs such as the lungs, the heart and diaphragm. If a tumor is close to an organ that is vital it might not be safe to remove it surgically. it, even with additional treatment options.
Another mesothelioma stage 3 treatment option is immunotherapy which works by boosting the body's natural ability to fight cancer cells. Doctors can incorporate immunotherapy with other treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation.
Immunotherapy is a wide range of treatments that includes monoclonal antibodies, cytokines and various other kinds. These treatments are developed to enable cancer cells to be targeted by specific proteins and trigger the immune system to kill those cells.
Patients receiving immunotherapy could also receive nutritional support, naturopathic along with oncology rehabilitation as well as behavioral health services. These treatments can help reduce side effects and improve quality-of-life during treatment. Moreover, they can help patients deal with stress and manage 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 do not. This is particularly relevant for patients with significant lymph node involvement at stage 3.
Complementary Therapies
As the disease progresses patients with pleural mesothelioma are experiencing worsening symptoms and the cancer may expand to the chest or abdomen. At this stage, doctors may conduct a thoracentesis to drain the lungs of fluid and ease breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma patients might undergo more invasive surgeries which include extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy that includes decortication. Both surgical options remove part of the diaphragm as well as the lining of lungs. Patients are then able to undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy to improve their prognosis and prolong their life expectancy.
Some doctors support using standard treatments such as radiation, surgery and pleural mesothelioma treatment chemotherapy to increase the chance of the chances of survival for mesothelioma patients. Multimodal therapy is what is called. Several studies have improved survival rates in patients treated with a combination of treatments.
Complementary therapies are alternative health treatments that can alleviate anxiety and stress as well as boost the immune system and alleviate certain cancer symptoms. These practices include acupuncture, tai chi, meditation, yoga and relaxation methods.
Patients may discuss alternative treatments with their mesothelioma physician or nurse. But, they should continue to take any prescribed medications and follow their treatment plan.
If they have any concerns about exposure to asbestos or how it may affect their health, mesothelioma patients should seek legal advice from a mesothelioma attorney. Lawyers can assist victims to obtain compensation through an asbestos lawsuit, and pursue other government benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance or VA benefits for veterans.
The majority of asbestos victims don't realize they have mesothelioma until stage 3 or 4. Asbestos patients should see a mesothelioma specialist to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about mesothelioma stages and how they impact a patient's prognosis in our free Mesothelioma Guide.