Frequently Asked Questions: Information for Families
I know that most people with cancer undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Are those the only treatments my father will have?
No. There are other treatment modalities that are used. There is a better prognosis if mesothelioma is detected when it is in its earlier stage. Immunotherapy and surgery are other treatment methods that may be used. The results from immunotherapy, a technique that is used to bolster the immune system, have been varied. The downside to this type of treatment is the numerous side effects that oftentimes result.
Mesothelioma often has a complex growth pattern making complete surgical removal a very difficult task. Depending on the stage of malignant mesothelioma the medical team can take a curative surgical approach to remove as much of the malignancy as possible. The goal of the surgery is to achieve a macroscopically-complete resection, which refers to the removal of all visible tumor cells. When surgery is performed in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation, research has shown that there is a better chance of success.
