Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer caused by asbestos that forms in the mesothelium, the lining of the body’s organs. Asbestos was once widely used as a building material because it was abundant, cheap, durable, and effective as a means of insulation. Asbestos could be found in automotive and industrial products, coatings, and insulation materials. This was especially prominent in naval shipyards, making those in the military particularly susceptible to exposure.
Mesothelioma has an extraordinarily long latency period, meaning that symptoms may not appear in an individual until decades after the initial exposure to asbestos. Because of this, the dangers of asbestos exposure were not fully known until after it had been frequently used. Many who were exposed to asbestos decades ago are only now being diagnosed with the disease.
mesothelioma surgery
Treatment Plans
Mesothelioma treatment plans are based off treatment plans for other forms of cancer. Though they share many symptoms, mesothelioma is not a form of lung cancer. Instead it is a much more difficult and deadly disease. Though many of the same methods are used, they are generally much more effective when treating lung cancer as opposed to mesothelioma.
Treatment plans such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are the most common methods, though other experimental methods are being developed. None of these methods provide a cure for the disease, but they may be used to extend a person’s life span as well as greatly increase a person’s quality of life. Surgery may be used in conjunction with other treatment methods.
Surgical Methods of Mesothelioma Treatment
Surgery is one of the available methods of treatment for those with mesothelioma. There are many different surgical procedures available as a treatment option; the one(s) used are dependent upon several factors. These factors include the overall treatment strategy, the disease’s histology (the type of cells invaded by the cancer), the disease’s location, the patient’s health, and the current stage of mesothelioma that patient is facing. The decision to undergo surgery should be clearly considered.
Surgery with Curative Intent
Surgeries with curative intent are generally very invasive surgeries. These surgeries deal with the removal of infected tissue in the pleura and surrounding areas. In some cases, the lung on the infected side of the body may be removed entirely. If the disease is caught early enough, the lung may not have to be removed. If the lung must be removed, the procedure is called an extrapleural pneumonectomy, or EPP. If the lung does not need to be removed, the procedure is called pleurectomy or decortication.Though these are considered curative surgeries, they are probably best referred to as life-extending surgeries. These surgeries may also be referred to as radical surgeries, due to their highly invasive.The other main type of surgery as a treatment for mesothelioma is palliative surgery. There are a number of palliative surgeries available as a treatment method for mesothelioma.
