Which is Better for Mesothelioma: Immunotherapy or Chemotherapy?
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, most patients will only survive a few years after diagnosis because of the lack of effective treatments and robust research.
Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma can be challenging to treat because it is rarely a single mass. It is a cancer that spreads along nearby tissues, nerves, and blood vessels, making it almost impossible to eradicate. Depending on the extent and location of the tumor and whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, treatment options may include:
- Surgery - Surgical removal of cancer may be a good option for a patient in good health when the doctor believes that they can remove all or most of the tumor.
- Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is often offered in conjunction with surgery. It may be used both before surgery, to shrink the cancer and reduce the risk of spreading, and after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy - Immunotherapy uses drugs to stimulate a patient’s immune system to better recognize and kill cancer cells.
- Palliative care - Physicians can often treat some of the side effects of mesothelioma by removing fluid buildup in the body or chest with a catheter, shunt, or pleurodesis.
- Radiation - While radiation is not usually a primary treatment for mesothelioma, it may kill remaining cancer cells after surgery or chemotherapy, or reduce the symptoms of mesothelioma.
- Targeted therapies - Targeted therapies are drugs that specifically target cancer cells by inhibiting their growth. Many promising new therapies may involve treatments targeting the genes and proteins of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy Versus Immunotherapy
In the past, chemotherapy, in conjunction with surgery, has been the most effective standard treatment for mesothelioma. The side effects, however, can be debilitating, including nausea and vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores, loss of appetite, diarrhea, increased chance of infections, bruising, and fatigue. Immunotherapy is used for patients whose cancer is still growing after treatment with chemotherapy. However, there are few side effects, and doctors can quickly treat those that arise.Research now indicates that immunotherapy may be an alternative to chemotherapy for mesothelioma patients. While immunotherapy does not increase patients’ survival time, it can be just as effective as chemotherapy. With fewer side effects, immunotherapy may improve the quality of life for many mesothelioma patients.Visit our resource center for additional help and support for victims of mesothelioma. Call us with any questions at 888-910-MESO (6376). Madeksho Law Firm has been helping victims of asbestos related diseases since 1972.
