Radiation

Radiation therapy is an intense X-ray treatment to damage or kill cancer cells. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation therapy nonetheless may be used at different stages of the disease to slow its growth. Radiation is often the main treatment for patients in weak health. Radiation is also used to destroy small clusters of cancer cells that may have been missed in surgery. When used in conjunction with surgery, radiation treatment is referred to as adjuvant radiation.

• External Beam Radiation
  The form of radiation therapy used most often is external radiation, in which a machine very similar to an X-ray machine directs strong beams of light at the cancerous cells from outside the body, killing the tumor cells underneath.
• Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
  Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, involves the placement of radiation sources in the body. With mesothelioma patients, the radioactive material is positioned inside the abdomen or the chest.

Supportive Care or Palliative Therapies

Palliative treatments refer to those procedures that relieve symptoms and help make the patient more comfortable. Here are some palliative therapies that may be used to treat mesothelioma.

• Pleurodesis
  Pleurodesis is a procedure that is sometimes used to control pleural effusion, or the buildup of fluids between the lungs and the lung lining. Pleurodesis causes the space between the lungs and the lung lining to close, reducing the chance for fluid to accumulate. One method of pleurodesis uses thoracoscopy, whereby a small incision, or a few small incisions are made in the skin and a thoracoscope is passed through the incision to get a better look at the pleura. The sclerosing agent is then applied.
• Pain Management
  Pain management is another way to treat the discomfort associated with mesothelioma. For additional information on pain management, please see Pain Management.