Treatment options for lung mesothelioma

Let us look at some of the treatment options that are available for a person suffering from lung mesothelioma.

To start with, the examining specialist uses a method called thoracoscopy to ascertain the extent of damage to the lungs and this is done by making a cut in the sternum and introducing the thoracoscope into the ribs.  If he notices growth tissues which are not normal, he removes them and then studies them for any trace of cancer cells.  This is known as biopsy and is a common method to find out the presence of cancer in general.  The patient does not experience any pain as local anesthesia is administered.

If the test is positive, then different treatment options are considered.

The first one involves surgery where the doctor removes the affected part of the lung lining and in specific cases; the entire lung is removed through a process called pneumonectomy.  In some other cases, a portion of the diaphragm may also be removed.

The next line of treatment is through the radiation process in which high energy rays are used to eliminate the cancer stricken cells and these rays can be either internal or external based.  When they are introduced into the lungs through tubes, the radiation is internal and when the body is exposed to such radiation from a machine, it is termed as external.
Any fluid that has got accumulated in the lungs is drained out using suction through a needle introduced into the chest and this process is called thoracentesis.  The removal of such fluid is important as it can interfere with the breathing process and in order to prevent recurrence, certain drugs may be introduced through the tubes.

Nowadays, a novel kind of treatment called intraoperative photodynamic therapy is being used to effectively eliminate the cells affected by cancer.  This treatment is a combination of drugs and special light and prior to this treatment, a chemical is introduced into the body which highlights the cancer stricken cells and makes them sensitive to the special light, enabling their elimination easily.