The treatment of mesothelioma depends on the site of the tumor, the stage of the disease, the age and the general state of health of the patient. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In selected cases, these treatments can be combined to increase therapeutic efficacy (trimodal treatment).
Surgery
Mesothelioma surgery is complex and should therefore be performed in highly specialized centers. Surgery with curative intent must be carried out in the context of multimodal treatments (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy). The techniques used are:
total pleurectomy: total removal of the pleura (parietal and visceral)
Extrapleural pneumonectomy: removal of the pleura en bloc with the lung, the pericardium and the diaphragm, in the most advanced cases of the disease.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy for mesothelioma is administered via external beams, using volumetric intensity modulation technique (IMRT), as part of the trimodal treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy) after surgery with a curative intent. Radiotherapy can also be used for palliative purposes, in advanced forms, on areas that cause pain.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a form of pharmacological therapy that can be administered by intravenous infusion (EV). It can be used, in selected cases, to reduce the disease, favoring the radical surgical approach (trimodal treatment); alternatively, to stop the growth of the disease and promote the improvement of symptoms related to it.
Clinical research protocols
Humanitas Cancer Center proposes clinical research protocols aimed at evaluating the efficacy of new therapeutic strategies, and at customizing the treatment of patients with mesothelioma according to the biological characteristics of the disease. For more information and to understand which protocols may be appropriate for your case, you should contact your doctor.
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