People living in Pennsylvania with mesothelioma have a few treatment options. Some patients are eligible for surgery to remove the cancer from their bodies. However, if the cancer is too widespread, surgery might be ordered to remove part of the cancer or alleviate certain symptoms. Some patients undergo chemotherapy to reduce the size of the cancer and experience relief from symptoms.
If none of those treatments work, a doctor might prescribe alternative treatments like targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Targeted therapy uses special drugs to attack the cancer cells while immunotherapy uses the patient’s immune system to fight off the mesothelioma.
The doctor might also prescribe certain treatments to help ease the symptoms of mesothelioma. For example, they might drain fluid from the lungs to relieve shortness of breath and help patients breathe easier. They can also prescribe medication to manage the pain associated with this form of cancer.
A palliative care specialist might also be part of the treatment regimen. Palliative care can help the patient deal with emotional turmoil caused by the mesothelioma.
What to do when diagnosed with mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease typically doesn’t appear until decades after the exposure. As a result, most patients are at least 65 or older since asbestos use has been strictly regulated since the 70s.
Asbestos is associated with a variety of diseases, but mesothelioma is one of the worst because it’s nearly always fatal. If a person or their loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they might be entitled to financial compensation. Working with a mesothelioma lawyer, they might be able to bring a lawsuit against the company that exposed them to asbestos and negotiate a fair settlement.