NEW APPROACHES TO TREATING MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Successfully treating a serious disease such as malignant mesothelioma depends on how early a diagnosis can be made. One reason why malignant mesothelioma is such a dangerous disease is that its symptoms often do not present themselves until the cancer is advanced. Traditional methods of treating malignant mesothelioma revolve around surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

Unfortunately, the traditional methods have shown limited success for slowing or stopping the aggressive nature of mesothelioma. No treatment, to date, has been able to increase the life expectancy of patients more than a few months. New research, including research funded by the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, is focusing on the development of new treatment modalities.

New approaches to treating malignant mesothelioma include:

  • New chemotherapy agents
  • Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
  • Immunotherapy
  • Gene therapy

Summing Up New Treatments

It is incredibly important to continue working towards newer and more effective ways to treat malignant mesothelioma in addition to all cancers. The regulation of asbestos in the United States has helped to limit future cases of mesothelioma in America; however, a number of countries around the world continue to mine asbestos, putting future generations at risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. By continuing to work towards newer and more effective treatments, science can potentially lengthen the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

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