Stage III Mesothelioma has a less favorable prognosis than Stages I and II and the mesothelioma treatment options most often used focus on maximizing patient comfort and minimizing symptomatic pain.
Stage III Mesothelioma is typically incurable and inoperable because the malignancy has spread to other vital organs.
With Stage III Mesothelioma, the cancer has spread past the pleura or the protective linings of the lungs, heart or abdomen. In some cases, the cancerous cells traveled into the lymphatic system or blood stream. When the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, containing the mesothelioma is nearly impossible.
Location of the tumor or tumors dictates whether surgery is an option or potentially detrimental to the overall health of patient.
At this stage of mesothelioma, surgery depends entirely on the individual and type of mesothelioma. In most cases, surgery is not an option.
Administering radiation at this stage only provides palliative care.
Medical professionals may also prescribe dietary and lifestyle changes aimed at improving patient comfort. Proper nutrition and maintaining hydration is critical. Many conventional treatment options – radiation therapy or chemotherapy – rob the body of vital vitamins and minerals.
The emotional impact of Stage III Mesothelioma may be more painful than the disease itself, not only for the patient but also for loved ones and care givers. Counseling may be a necessary part of any palliative care plan.
Integrating alternative therapies into a conventional palliative care plan is also a viable option. Massage therapy, for example, may provide temporary relief to sore muscles and joint tissue. However, most alternative therapies provide short-term comfort and are not a replacement for conventional treatments.
Ultimately, a palliative care plan is individual. Determining what quality of life means is unique as the individual with Stage III Mesothelioma.
What is Stage III Mesothelioma?
Depending on the staging system used, Stage III Mesothelioma likely includes the metastasizing of cells to other areas of the body, lymphatic system and blood.Stage III Mesothelioma is typically incurable and inoperable because the malignancy has spread to other vital organs.
With Stage III Mesothelioma, the cancer has spread past the pleura or the protective linings of the lungs, heart or abdomen. In some cases, the cancerous cells traveled into the lymphatic system or blood stream. When the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, containing the mesothelioma is nearly impossible.
What are the Common Treatments for Stage III Mesothelioma?
With Stage III Mesothelioma, surgery is typically palliative. With operable tumors, surgery is an option to ease symptomatic suffering and aid in quality of life. However, surgery may only remove the main tumor, but since the cancer has spread through the lymphatic system, blood and other organs, surgery cannot remove the remaining cancerous cells.Location of the tumor or tumors dictates whether surgery is an option or potentially detrimental to the overall health of patient.
At this stage of mesothelioma, surgery depends entirely on the individual and type of mesothelioma. In most cases, surgery is not an option.
Radiation Therapy
For Stage III Mesothelioma patients, radiation therapy also provides symptomatic relief. Though radiation therapy typically inhibits metastases of cells, radiation therapy may specifically target areas of the body where tumors associated with Stage III Mesothelioma are painful and severely affect quality of life.Administering radiation at this stage only provides palliative care.
Thoracentesis / Paracentesis / Pericardiocentesis
Thoracentesis is a palliative treatment option for pleural mesothelioma in which excess fluid is drained from the lungs. Paracentesis also drains excess fluid built up in the abdomen for peritoneal mesothelioma while pericardiocentesis drains fluids from the pericardium. These treatments alleviate pain and pressure, but do not cure the disease.Palliative Care
Palliative care plans are individualized and target the specific issues that each patient faces. They almost always include a pain management component, however, to ensure that the patient is not suffering.Medical professionals may also prescribe dietary and lifestyle changes aimed at improving patient comfort. Proper nutrition and maintaining hydration is critical. Many conventional treatment options – radiation therapy or chemotherapy – rob the body of vital vitamins and minerals.
The emotional impact of Stage III Mesothelioma may be more painful than the disease itself, not only for the patient but also for loved ones and care givers. Counseling may be a necessary part of any palliative care plan.
Integrating alternative therapies into a conventional palliative care plan is also a viable option. Massage therapy, for example, may provide temporary relief to sore muscles and joint tissue. However, most alternative therapies provide short-term comfort and are not a replacement for conventional treatments.
Ultimately, a palliative care plan is individual. Determining what quality of life means is unique as the individual with Stage III Mesothelioma.
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