Mesothelioma Treatments: Photodynamic Therapy
Mesothelioma Treatments: Photodynamic Therapy is the sixth in a series detailing symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for an incurable cancer known as mesothelioma.
Malignant Mesothelioma is a disease in which cancer cells form in the lining of the chest (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum) and is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they have breathed asbestos, although some come into contact from secondary or environmental exposure. Many people who worked in asbestos mines or processing plants or with asbestos-containing products are at high risk of developing an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. This is particularly true for those who work in construction, ship yards, factories, automotives, or firefighting.
Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma and survival time between diagnosis and death is short, usually less than a year. The chances of extending survival time, improving quality of life, and increasing treatment options, depend on certain factors. Like with all other cancers, the earlier mesothelioma is detected, the chances of survival greatly improve and treatment options also increase.
In our last article, we discussed the process of diagnosing mesotheliomaand looked at some of the latest research and diagnostic tools being used to catch the disease earlier. However, there is a long lag time of ten to fifty years between the time of exposure to asbestos and the development of symptoms of mesothelioma. Because of this, and the challenges with distinguishing cancer as mesothelioma, the disease has usually progressed into late stages and treatment options are more limited.
Survival time and treatment options often depend on the following factors:
- age at time of diagnosis
- stage of the cancer
- health of patient
- size of tumor and whether it can be surgically reduced
- type of mesothelioma cells
- whether the cancer is localized (found only in the lining of chest or abdominal cavity), advanced (spread to other areas of the body), or recurrent (has come back after initial treatments).
- presence and amount of fluid in chest and/or abdomen
Once mesothelioma is diagnosed and the factors above have been determined, treatment options can be discussed. Treatment usually includes at least one conventional approach such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. More often, successful treatment combines more than one approach (called multimodality therapy,) such as combining a conventional method with an alternative or experimental one.
We previously wrote about two such alternative treatments, anti-angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy. In this article we will look at another approach at treating mesothelioma: photodynamic therapy.
Photodynamic therapy (PTD) involves using a light sensitive drug to destroy malignant cancer cells. A light sensitive drug (photosensitive porphyrin molecule such as Photofrin or meta-tetrhydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHCP)) is injected into the bloodstream. The idea is that normal cells and malignant cells react differently to the drug. Within 24 to 72 hours, the drug travels through the body and is absorbed by cells. Normal cells and malignant cells then react differently to the drug. The photosensitizing drug makes cancer cells highly sensitive to a particular kind of laser light. Within 48 hours of injection, the patient is exposed to this laser light and the cancer cells that have absorbed the drug are killed, leaving healthy cells largely unaffected.
Certain factors of PTD are currently being researched, such as type of photosensitizing drug, dosage of both drug and light, delivery procedures, and side effects. Currently, PTD has been most effective in treating single, localized cancers, especially those closer to the surface. PTD also seems to benefit mesothelioma patients who are diagnosed early, have lower risk and smaller size tumors, and are eligible for reductive surgery.
Medical research continues to seek ways of using PTD to treat malignant tumors and to prevent cancer from recurring. For now, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has not found PTD to be effective at treating pleural malignant mesothelioma, advocates for more research, and cautions that patient selection be very strict.
The NCI has a list of new clinical trials they are investigating, including some that involve PTD. Clinical trials are scientific studies performed to test new ways of preventing, diagnosing, treating or managing cancer. New approaches are investigated to determine safe, effective treatment methods, with the hope of extending survival time and finding a cure. Experimental treatments are voluntary and require patients to fit certain criteria to be eligible. To find out more about clinical trials for those diagnosed with mesothelioma, please visit the National Cancer Institutes website www.cancer.gov/CLINICALTRIALS.
To know more about mesothelioma and your options, call one of our informed specialists toll free at 1-800-440-4262 or visit our website www.mesothelioma-attorney.com.
Our mesothelioma law firm has attorneys who are experts in asbestos cancer lawsuits and are dedicated to helping anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma. There sole purpose is to provide help and support to the person diagnosed with mesothelioma and their family members. They have over twenty-five years experience in providing mesothelioma legal representation to clients in California and across the United States. They can provide a free case evaluation at no cost. As experienced trial lawyers, they can help you obtain the financial compensation you are entitled to as a result of exposure to asbestos.
Contact the Mesothelioma Law Offices of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason today to find out more about treatment options or for more information about how we can help you and your family.
