Posts Tagged ‘mesothelioma’
Radiation therapy
With radiation therapy, is achieved by damaging or destroying cancer cells through extensive treatment of X-rays. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation may be used at various stages of treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Often, radiation is the main treatment for patients with health problems. Radiation can also be used to eliminate small formations of cancer cells that surgery might overlook. When radiation is used in conjunction with surgery, radiation is known as adjuvant.
* External beam radiation
The form of radiation therapy is best known external irradiation. A machine similar to X-ray focusing intense beams of light directly to the tumor, but from outside the body, thus ending the cancer cells under the skin.
* Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
When the radiation source is placed inside the body, radiation therapy is called brachytherapy. In the case of mesothelioma, the active materials are placed directly into the chest or abdomen.
Chemotherapy – Treatment with drugs
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer using specific chemical agents or drugs that are only destroying malignant cells and tissues. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy exclusive of a chemical agent or a combination thereof. The exclusive one chemotherapy agent, as its name implies uses only one. Combination chemotherapy using more than one. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, chemotherapy may help reduce and slow the progression of cancer.
* Alimta (Pemetrexed)
Alimta The drug can be prescribed for the treatment of patients with mesothelioma. It indicates the use of Alimta with cisplatin (see below) for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Normally, Alimta is administered through an IV tube. (IV infusion)
* Onconase (Ranpirnase)
A new drug called Onconase could help slow the spread of mesothelioma tumors.
* Navelbine (Vinorelbine)
Like Alimta, in combination with other chemicals in chemotherapy, Navelbine is used to treat mesothelioma tumors. Clinical trials are still in process and have already begun testing in some patients. Generally, Navelbine administered intravenously.