Pleural Mesothelioma is a vigorous form of cancer that develops in the pleura. The pleura is the protective lining in the chest and lungs and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include a dry cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The most common form of treatment for pleural mesothelioma is systemic chemotherapy. In this article, we will discuss the symptomology for pleural mesothelioma, common causes, and the effectiveness of HITHOC treatments.
Pleural Mesothelioma: Understanding the Signs and Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take anywhere from 20-50 years for symptoms to appear. It can take between 2-3 months between the onset of symptoms. Many people are not diagnosed until their 60’s or 70’s because they were exposed to the asbestos in the workplace as adults. Certain factors affect the latency period including the duration and length of exposure, fiber type, and occupation.
- Chest Pain Under the Ribcage
- Painful Coughing
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Unusual Lumps of Tissue Under the Skin on the Chest
- Fever/Night Sweats
- Respiratory Complications
- Pain in the Abdomen
- Muscle Weakness
- Coughing up Blood (hemoptysis)
What are HITHOC Treatments?
Hyperthermia Intrathoracic Chemotherapy is a way of delivering chemotherapy directly to the chest cavity. Because pleural mesothelioma tumors seem to be odd in shape, it can make complete removal challenging. Therefore, HITHOC therapy is often a recommended treatment option to help slow the aggressive nature of the cancer and help extend life. Studies show it is very effective in combination type therapies such as in the case with debulking. For conditions associated with pleural effusion, which is a common condition associated with mesothelioma, HITHOC is shown to improve patient outcomes.
HITHOC Treatments: Terms You Should Know
Debulking or Cytoreduction is the process of removing as much of the tumor as possible. When used in conjunction with HITHOC treatments, the efficacy is vastly improved because the chemotherapy can then lyse the remaining cancer cells. Studies show survival rates are better than those who don’t receive HITHOC treatments.
Pleural effusion is the condition of excess fluid built up inside the chest-cavity. It is associated with most forms of malignant cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Approximately 1.5 million cases of pleural effusion are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
Other Common Pleural Mesothelioma Treatments
Radiation Therapy: This type of therapy uses intense beams of energy to lyse and kill cancer cells.
Targeted Therapies: This involves injecting the body with various drug types to halt the spread of cancer in the body.
Chemotherapy: This is an avenue to control the growth of cancer. While there isn’t a cure for pleural mesothelioma, chemotherapy and adjunctive care options help extend life.
Prognosis and Survival Rates Following HITHOC Treatments
The safety and efficacy of HITHOC treatments are controversial. Despite the controversial methodology, many studies have cited the effectiveness of multi-modality treatments with HITHOC as an adjunctive care component. A qualitative study analysis conducted in the Netherlands produced results that favored HITHOC treatments for recurrence-free interval times and overall survival time was longer than those who didn’t get HITHOC treatments.
If Diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma Will My Doctor Automatically Suggest HITHOC Treatments?
Medical professionals recommend treatments based on many factors. They take into consideration your health at the time of diagnosis, the complication of treatment, and the diagnostic stage. Assessing the risks versus benefit play a major role in the recommendation of your treating oncologist. Obtaining as much information as possible about your condition, prognosis, and risk factors can help you understand more about HITHOC treatment.
The Link Between Pleural Mesothelioma and Navy Vets
Navy Vets are more prone to develop mesothelioma than any other branch of the military. During WW2, Korea and Vietnam used asbestos extensively in their ships. When asbestos is disturbed, it can become airborne for hours. It tends to stick to clothing and hair. This facilitates exposure and consequent inhalation into the lungs.
Military Veterans make up the largest group of mesothelioma patients in the U.S. because of their exposure to asbestos. All Veterans diagnosed with Mesothelioma do have rights to benefits and potential claims due to non-disclosure of risk by the asbestos companies. Medical professionals can assist in helping patients receive the proper treatments and medical care is facilitated through military veteran benefit plans. Pleural Mesothelioma treatment might include HITHOC in conjunction with other therapies depending upon the advice of medical experts.
HITHOC for Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma Conclusion
From the evidence provided by clinical trials, there are positive indicators that HITHOC treatments can be effective in extending life in cases of pleural mesothelioma. When used in combination therapies, there is a significant opportunity for lower mortality rates and the extension of life. Consulting with medical experts is recommended for careful assessment of all treatment options and modalities.