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- What is mesothelioma?
- Symptoms of mesothelioma
- Causes of mesothelioma
- Prevention of mesothelioma
- Risk factors for mesothelioma
- Complications of mesothelioma
- When to see a doctor about mesothelioma
- Diagnosis of mesothelioma
- Conventional treatment of mesothelioma
- Alternative/complementary treatment of mesothelioma
- Living with mesothelioma
- Caring for someone with mesothelioma
Conventional treatment of mesothelioma
Certain factors affect the treatment and chances of recovery (and even survival) of mesothelioma:
- If the tumour can be removed by surgical means
- Patient age and health
- Newly diagnosed cancer or recurrent one
- Stage of the cancer
- Size of the tumour
- Type and health of mesotheliomal cells (which have been reviewed under a microscope)
- Whether the cancer has spread to other cells, tissues or organs in the body
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Standard treatment
- Chemotherapy - drugs which kill cancer cells are either injected or swallowed. More than one type of anti-cancer drug can be used and the types of drugs used depends on the stage and type of mesothelioma being treated
- Radiation therapy - high energy x-rays or other radiation is used to kill cancer cells. The type of radiation therapy used depends on the stage and type of mesothelioma being treated
- Surgery - to remove the cancer cells and even some of the surrounding healthy cells. Surgery is normally done in conjunction with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy, depending on the stage of the mesothelioma and where it is located
Experimental treatment
- Biotherapy/Immunotherapy - certain biological agents are used that boost the body's immune system to fight off the mesothelioma. Since this is only experimental therapy, it means that the results of this type of treatment cannot be confirmed as having the most positive outcome and should be considered carefully - all cancer clinical trials in the USA
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< 8: diagnosis 10: alternative treatment > Last reviewed: 3 January 2009 || Last updated: 8 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
