Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the mesothelium part, which is the membrane that coats various organs in the body. This condition is classified as a dangerous type of cancer and can be fatal.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer, but it is quite rare. This condition does not cause symptoms until decades after the patient is exposed to asbestos. In most cases, people diagnosed with mesothelioma are 60–80 years old.

Mesothelioma is one type of malignant cancer and cannot be cured. Treatment is limited to relieving symptoms and extending the patient's life expectancy. The method of treatment is determined based on the following factors.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment and Prevention

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Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment

As for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer, it pays attention to how the age and overall health condition of the patient. So that the necessary medical measures can be taken according to the level and extent of spread of this cancer.

Type and location of cancer

The size and extent of cancer spread

Based on the above considerations, some treatment steps that can be recommended by a doctor are:

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This therapy can be done before surgery to shrink cancer cells so that they are easily removed, or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer reappearing.

2. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is done by firing X-rays or proton beams at areas of the body affected by cancer. This therapy is usually done after surgery to remove the remaining cancer cells.

Radiotherapy can also be done to relieve symptoms of advanced cancer in patients who cannot undergo surgery.

3. Operation

Surgery can be performed on early stage mesothelioma. There are several surgical options that doctors can do, namely:

Surgery to remove as many cancer cells as possible from the patient's body. This action can be supported by radiotherapy to relieve pain and inhibit cancer growth.

Surgery to suck up fluid in the chest that interferes with breathing. This action can be accompanied by pleurodesis, which is the injection of drugs into the chest to prevent fluid from accumulating again.

Surgery to remove tissue around the abdominal cavity, ribs, or lungs affected by cancer cells.

Surgery to remove the affected part of the lung and surrounding tissue. This procedure is usually followed by radiotherapy.

4. Multimodality therapy

This therapy is a combination of three or more treatment methods, such as surgery, postoperative chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, to increase the success rate of treatment.

To help the treatment process, the doctor will advise the patient to do some of the following:

Breathing exercises, to control breathing when experiencing symptoms of difficulty breathing

Body relaxation exercises, to reduce tension in the muscles of the respiratory tract in order to breathe more easily

Read more : Knowing the Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma Complications

Mesothelioma that has enlarged or spread can press on the surrounding organs or tissues. This can lead to a variety of complications.

In pleural mesothelioma, complications that can occur in the form of:

- Difficulty breathing

- Chest pain

- Difficulty swallowing

Pain due to pressure on the nerves and spinal cord

- Pleural effusion

While a complication due to peritoneal mesothelioma is intestinal obstruction, which can be characterized by nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.

 

Mesothelioma Cancer Prevention

The main way to prevent mesothelioma is to avoid contact with anything that contains asbestos. If you work in an environment that is at high risk of exposure to asbestos, then follow the occupational safety regulations that have been set by the company, for example:

- Using personal protective equipment while in a work area that is susceptible to asbestos exposure,

- Dispose of the remaining asbestos material in a safe place and does not harm the surrounding environment,

- Do not bring home the clothes and shoes used during work,

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In addition, there are several other things that can be done to reduce the risk of mesothelioma, namely:

- Conduct regular health checks to detect symptoms or signs of disease associated with asbestos exposure,

- Stop smoking, because cigarettes can increase the risk of various types of cancer, including mesothelioma,

- Follow the instructions on how to handle asbestos safely.

This is the end of the medical discussion related to how mesothelioma cancer treatment, treatment, and prevention can be done so that the healing process can occur as early and as quickly as possible.