Treatment of Mesothelioma Metastases, Brain Metastases

Treatment of Mesothelioma Metastases

Metastasis of mesothelioma can completely steer the treatment away from the initial course of action. At this point it becomes important to address the cancer that is now in another part of the body in order to come up with a different treatment program. Often, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is recommended, but at this point most treatment options can only decrease pain and make the patient more comfortable so he or she can have a better quality of life.

An oncologist with a strong background in aggressive diseases related to asbestos like mesothelioma can suggest a treatment plan that will work best for both the mesothelioma and the metastases.
Brain Metastases

While mesothelioma normally metastasizes locally, there are documented cases of brain metastases. Since malignant mesothelioma rarely spreads to the brain, bones, or adrenal glands, patients with the disease should not be overly concerned about this occurring. When brain metastases have occurred, the diagnosis has not been determined until the late stages of its advancement.

After the cancer reaches more remote parts of the body, treatments used are normally palliative. This means that their main purpose is not to cure the disease but to relieve associated symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. Treatments aimed more towards a cure are likely to have a better effect when the cancer is caught fairly early. There are those patients who have survived mesothelioma because of success with treatment options that are aggressive.