Mesothelioma Cancer Cure
Malignant mesothelioma is a chronic and terminal form of cancer for which there is no cure. Although researchers have long sought a mesothelioma cure, research has, so far, proven unsuccessful. No cure for any form of cancer yet exists, but treatment for many types of cancer, including mesothelioma, has improved tremendously in the last two decades. Clinical researchers are discovering more about this asbestos-related disease every year, and the prognosis for patients who have been diagnosed with the disease continues to improve and provide hope that a cure may yet be found.
About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a thin sheet of tissue that lines the abdominal and chest cavities, as well as the organs they contain. The primary cause of mesothelioma is past exposure to asbestos. When the microscopic fibers that make up this natural mineral get into the air, they are easily inhaled and ingested. Once the fibers are inside the body, they become lodged in the mesothelium. After one to four decades of living with asbestos fibers in the mesothelium, cancerous cells begin to grow. These cells then spread through the body, causing serious complications.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment is largely unsuccessful in producing long-lasting remission, but improvements in treatment have led to patients living longer and higher quality lives than ever before. The three standard procedures for treatment include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Several new treatments have also proven successful in extending the lives of mesothelioma patients.
Combinations of standard and cutting-edge mesothelioma treatments are providing new hope to patients who are in desperate need of a cure for their disease. One of the leading researchers in mesothelioma treatment that may eventually lead to a cure is Dr. David Sugarbaker.
The primary treatment made popular by Dr. Sugarbaker is a type of surgery called an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). This surgery involves removing a portion of the lung and the mesothelium. This type of surgery has been associated with the greatest decrease in cancerous cells of any other treatment. However, this surgery must still be followed with chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Dr. Sugarbaker has made popular the use of intracavitary chemotherapy in combination with surgery for the treatment of mesothelioma. This procedure is not yet fully approved, but clinical trials have shown great promise. This type of chemotherapy is performed at the same time as surgery. It involves the direct application of medications into the body through the surgical incision or incisions.
Mesothelioma Research
Research aimed at discovering a cure for mesothelioma has increased since 1990, shortly after the time the U.S. government placed heavy restrictions on asbestos use. Some of this research is geared toward the early detection of mesothelioma, and some is in the realm of palliative care for improving quality of life.
If you have mesothelioma and want to discover all of the options that are available to you in treatment and meeting your financial needs, contact us today for a free consultation.