Once diagnosed, malignant mesothelioma is treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

Surgery

A common treatment. The doctor removes part of the lining of the chest or abdomen. If the cancer has metastasized, a lung or possibly the diaphram may have to be removed.

 

Radiation therapy

Use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation can come from a machine or from putting chemicals which produce radiation directly inside the area affected.

 

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to kill cancerous cells. The drugs may be taken as a pill or put into the body by needle. This means the drug has to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. In cases of pleural mesothelioma, the drugs may be put directly into the area affected in the chest.

 

Alimta and Platinol

The US FDA approved Alimta (pemetrexed disodium), used in combination with cisplatin (Platinol®), for use as a chemotherapy treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Alimta will be distributed by Eli Lilly.

 

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy

A new type of surgery that uses drugs and light to kill cancer cells. The drugs make cancer cells sensitive to light (photosensitive) and are given a few days before the surgery. During the surgery, the cells are exposed to the light and killed.

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