Mesothelioma Treatment & Therapy Options

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Our team of doctors and other clinicians at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is experienced in treating advanced stage mesothelioma. At each of our state-of-the-art hospitals , we offer leading-edge mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy for mesothelioma, as well as evidence-based supportive therapies that reduce treatment-related side effects, strengthen the immune system, boost energy levels and promote better overall health.

Your integrated team of cancer experts at CTCA may include:

A pulmonologist who specializes in lung and respiratory diseases and conditions
A radiation oncologist who eliminates cancer cells with cutting-edge radiation therapy
A medical oncologist who treats mesothelioma with chemotherapy
A pain management clinician who minimizes pain and discomfort
A naturopathic oncology provider who eases side effects with natural therapies
A clinical oncology dietitian who ensures you continue to receive nourishment to maintain your strength and energy
A chaplain who nurtures your spiritual health
A mind-body therapist who helps you feel emotionally balanced and strong

Below you’ll find information on some of the mesothelioma treatments we use to fight the disease and support our patients’ quality of life. You and your CTCA care team will decide which treatments are best suited to you.

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs work to either destroy cancer cells outright, or impede their ability to grow and reproduce. For patients with stage IV pleural mesothelioma and mesothelioma that is inoperable, chemotherapy is used to fight the disease. For stages I, II or III pleural mesothelioma, patients may have a treatment regimen consisting of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Some of the mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs used to treat the disease include:

Pemetrexed
Cisplatin
Carboplatin
Gemcitabine
Vinorelbine

In many cases, a combination of two or more chemotherapy drugs may be used.

Typically, chemotherapy is administered through intravenous (IV) infusion. With this method, chemotherapy is slowly released through a vein into the bloodstream. It circulates throughout the body to eliminate cancer cells.

HIPEC for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

At CTCA, we offer a highly innovative peritoneal mesothelioma treatment option called Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Unlike systemic mesothelioma chemotherapy, HIPEC uses a heated, sterilized chemotherapy solution which is delivered directly to the abdomen. It is administered immediately following surgery to remove visible tumors within the abdomen. The goal is to penetrate and destroy cancer cells that remain in the abdomen after surgery. In comparison to systemic chemotherapy delivery, HIPEC allows for higher doses of chemotherapy treatment. And because the chemotherapy is kept within the abdomen, it minimizes the rest of the body’s exposure to the treatment and helps reduce some side effects of chemotherapy treatment.

Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy

Patients fighting mesothelioma may receive a treatment plan that includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For patients with mesothelioma, radiation therapy may be used to destroy undetectable cancer cells left behind after surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy may also be used to alleviate chest pain and other symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath and trouble swallowing.

At CTCA, advanced forms of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), such as TomoTherapy® and Trilogy™, are used to treat mesothelioma. These radiation therapy delivery systems pinpoint radiation beams to the site of the cancer and help minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue and organs.

Therapies that Help You Cope with Side Effects & Stay Strong

We strive to help our patients prevent or minimize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy as much as possible. For example, our doctors can prescribe medication to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting that may be caused by chemotherapy. Additionally, our naturopathic oncology providers recommend homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals and herbs for side effects such as mouth sores, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. Our clinical oncology dietitians also help patients deal with loss of appetite by providing solutions and treatment to help them receive essential nourishment.

We offer the following therapies on-site at our hospitals to help you experience a better quality of life as you undergo treatment for mesothelioma:

To learn more about our hospitals and the mesothelioma treatment options available to you at CTCA, call us anytime at 1-800-615-3055 or Chat Now.