Talc Treatment for Mesothelioma
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Nursing experts recommend talc pleurodesis for pleural patients with mesothelioma. This is because it could increase survival rates for mesothelioma patients and alleviate symptoms by removing excess fluid from the chest cavity.
Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is a minimally invasive procedure to treat the primary symptom of pleural mesothelioma: fluid buildup in the pleura. It is the thin membrane that covers the lung. The procedure involves placing a small tube into the chest cavity, which is then filled with a mixture of talc and saline. The pleural linings begin to become adsorbent, causing them to irritate.
Patients with pleural mesothelioma that do not suffer from the presence of pleural effusions have a higher quality of life. This problem can cause pain or breathing problems. Doctors recommend pleurodesis and other options for treatment, such as thoracentesis in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid. Pleurodesis is most often performed on the right side of the body, though it can also be performed on the left side.
Researchers compared talc pleurodesis with more aggressive surgical options to treat mesothelioma. These included extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). The results show that patients who undergo pleurodesis live longer than those who undergo more aggressive surgery.
Patients with a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma are often prescribed chemotherapy to fight the cancer but this only extends survival by an average of 12 months. Pleurodesis is a less risky procedure that can add more time to survival and reduce discomfort and pain. Pleurodesis is an less invasive procedure that can extend the time of survival and reduce the pain.
Because of this, mesothelioma talc is gaining recognition as a viable palliative treatment for mesothelioma patients, especially when it is utilized in combination with other cancer treatments. A mesothelioma expert can determine which treatment is best for each patient.
During talc pleurodesis, the patient receives the drug orally as well as local anesthetics for pain control. A small tube is inserted into the chest cavity, and the mixture of saline, talc and other ingredients is slowly added. A doctor will then remove the drain taps after the talc has been placed and continue to watch for any signs of complications. After the procedure patients will be required to take painkillers as treatment for mesothelioma in the lungs prescribed by their physician to ease any discomfort. A low blood pressure, fever and flu-like symptoms could be experienced in the days following the procedure. However, these are rare. Patients should discuss the potential risks with a mesothelioma expert.
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis often referred to as pleural effusions, or fluid accumulation around your lungs is a procedure utilized by doctors to drain these fluids. It can be performed in a hospital or the office of your doctor. It is typically performed when you are awake but some people are asleep. In these cases you'll require someone to drive you home afterward.
Your healthcare provider will sterilize the area in which they will insert the needle and inject a numbing medication. They will then move your body to access the pleural cavity, which is usually between your ribs. They can also use ultrasound to pinpoint the correct location.
Once they have inserted the needle, they utilize an instrument or syringe to drain the fluid from your pleural space. The pleural fluid is assessed to determine what's creating the fluid buildup. It is possible that you will need to undergo additional tests, such an MRI or CT scan to determine the root of the issue and the best way to treat it.
After the pleural fluid is removed, your doctor will close the needle hole and cover it with an elastic bandage. It is normal to experience a small amount of coughing after the procedure. The coughing process helps your lung expand and get rid of the extra fluid. You'll likely need to keep the bandage in place for approximately an hour. You could be required to stay at the hospital for several days, depending on the reason for your fluid buildup as well as the amount of fluid that is removed during the procedure.
If you are ready to remove the bandage the doctor will take an X-ray to make sure that no complications occurred during the procedure. You might need to undergo another X-ray later, just to make sure that all the fluid has gone.
Some people who have a blood-clotting disorder or use medications to reduce blood clotting may not be able Thoracentesis. Your doctor will go over the risks of the procedure with you, and will also review your medical records to determine if it's safe for you. They will also do a blood test to ensure that you don't have a condition which makes it difficult for your body make clots.