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Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that commonly is resistant to standard forms of treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, or a combination thereof. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos enters the body, it can become lodged in the thin protective sacs that surround the lining of the lungs (pleura), heart (pericardium), or abdomen (peritoneum).

Symptoms typically do not appear until decades after first exposure, and diagnosis can be difficult. Due to the long latency period and challenges in diagnosing, mesothelioma is often not accurately identified until it has reached late stages.

Treatment options for any kind of cancer become more limited when in advanced stages of malignancy, and particularly so with mesothelioma. Often, therapy is aimed at reducing pain and managing symptoms versus trying to cure the cancer.

Current research has shown that radiotherapy is an effective treatment in providing palliative relief for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), which affects the lungs and surrounding areas. Radiotherapy is usually used after surgery and/or chemotherapy has been tried. When possible, a trimodality approach, which use all three types of treatment, is most recommended for best results. All mesothelioma treatments are aimed at slowing tumor growth, disease progression, and fluid reduction, as well as reducing pain and symptoms. Radiotherapy, a non-invasive treatment, treats cancer by using high energy rays which target and eradicate malignant cells.

Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who undergo radiotherapy respond with some symptomatic relief despite side effects that come with the treatment. Common side effects are: fatigue, hair loss, nausea, redness of skin, and possibly sore throat. While radiotherapy has not been proven to extend survival times or cure mesothelioma, it has been shown to be effective in the role of palliation.

What also has been clearly established is that the most successful treatment strategy is to use a multimodal approach, combining two or more methods. Second line treatments can also help in some cases.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, consult with your medical team to find out more information about which line of treatments are best for you. You can also visit the National Cancer Institute to find out more about the latest research around mesothelioma treatments and to locate clinical trials that may be taking place in your local area.

Sally Clapper is a representative for the law offices of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason in Sausalito, CA. If you or someone you know is in need of a mesothelioma attorney, please contact the firm at 1-800-440-4262. As professionals in the field of mesothelioma law, the firm’s attorneys are recognized as some of the leading asbestos attorneys in the nation.