Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer primarily linked to asbestos exposure, necessitating effective treatments for better health outcomes.

1. Surgical Options

• Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D): This surgery removes part of the pleura to alleviate symptoms.
• Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP): This more aggressive approach involves the removal of an entire lung and surrounding tissues.
• Biopsy Procedures: Essential for diagnosis, it can also help determine the best treatment plan.

2. Chemotherapy

• Pemetrexed (Alimta): Commonly used in combination with cisplatin for better efficacy.
• Cisplatin: Traditional chemotherapy agent acts on cancer cells to prevent replication.
• Combination Therapies: Newer approaches include combinations of multiple drugs for improved results.

3. Radiation Therapy

• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): Targets tumors specifically and is often used post-surgery.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Minimally invasive; uses heat to destroy cancer cells.
• Palliative Care: Radiation can also relieve pain and improve quality of life for advanced patients.

4. Targeted Therapy

• Nintedanib: Slows tumor growth by blocking blood vessel formation.
• Other Emerging Agents: Research continues into drugs specifically targeting mesothelioma.

5. Immunotherapy

• Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.
• Cancer Vaccines: Under research, vaccines aim to provoke the body’s immune response against mesothelioma cells.

Statistics and Treatment Efficacy

Mind Map of Treatment Options

• Mesothelioma Treatments
  • Surgery
    • Pleurectomy/Decortication
    • Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
  • Chemotherapy
    • Pemetrexed
    • Cisplatin
  • Radiation Therapy
    • EBRT
    • RFA
  • Targeted Therapy
    • Nintedanib
  • Immunotherapy
    • Checkpoint Inhibitors

Conclusion

Treatment for mesothelioma remains complex due to its aggressive nature, often necessitating a multimodal approach that can include surgery, chemotherapy, and emerging therapies such as immunotherapy.