A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary, as, to date, there exists no tried-and-true cure for the disease. However, over the years researchers have been regularly inventing and testing new treatment options in the hopes of finding a cure for the cancer. As a result, mesothelioma treatment is substantially more effective than it was even 10 or 20 years ago.
There are many treatment options available to prolong the lives and increase the comfort levels of mesothelioma patients. According to Mesothelioma Hope, one such option is the trimodal approach.
The trimodal approach to mesothelioma treatment
According to Mesothelioma Hope, the trimodal approach is currently the most effective approach to treating cases of peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. However, as with other treatment methods, the efficacy of this approach depends on the extent of the cancer and a person’s overall health. If you are a candidate for the trimodal method, your cancer care team will attempt to combat your cancer via the following three means, in their respective orders:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
First, your care team will attempt to remove as many cancer cells as possible via surgery. Next, and if you live with peritoneal mesothelioma, your care team will perform heated chemotherapy. Heated chemotherapy involves filling your abdomen with a chemotherapy solution and letting your organs bathe in it for several hours. The goal is to kill the remaining microscopic cancer cells. Once surgery and chemotherapy are complete, your care team will perform traditional chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
The survival rate post-treatment
Unfortunately, even the trimodal approach is not guaranteed to work. While you should discuss your prognosis with your doctor, there is hope that your cancer will go into remission or that the treatment will have killed most, if not all, of the cancer cells. If either is the case, you may have a life expectancy that exceeds 10 years.
Mesothelioma treatment is not cheap, and you will have to dedicate much of your time and attention to recovery alone. For financial assistance during these trying times, consider filing a mesothelioma claim.