Mesothelioma can in some instances be treated through an operation known as a pleurectomy or decortication. Mesothelioma patients who undergo the treatment may be subject to varying degrees of such treatment. Mesothelioma patients may undergo ‘extended’ pleurectomy/decortication, which requires the removal of the entire pleural lining, or ‘partial’ pleurecotmy/decortication, which requires the removal of only part of the pleural lining. The treatments are aimed to give more space to the lungs, allowing them to expand, alleviating symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath.

Recent Australian studies on this form of mesothelioma treatment have shown that the more intense the treatment, the better results mesothelioma patients may receive, but at a higher risk. The study reports a trend in extended pleurectomy/decortication towards a higher number of complications and longer hospital stays, compared to mesothelioma patients who underwent partial pleurectomy/decortication. However, the studies showed that the mesothelioma patients that underwent extended pleurecotmy/decortication had more successful results, being more favourable to “overall and disease-free survival”.

Although mesothelioma has no known cure at present, treatments such as this have been shown to help those suffering mesothelioma. To support such treatments, mesothelioma compensation is also available to those whose disease came about due to exposure to asbestos in Australia.

It is critical that those suffering mesothelioma seek the advice of their medical specialists as to what, if any, mesothelioma treatment options in Australia should be undertaken. A particular treatment option for one person suffering mesothelioma in Australia may not be possible or helpful for another person suffering mesothelioma in Australia. It all comes down to the individual, thus you should seek specific and individual advice

As a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy, the drugs are inhaled, rather than injected. Animal and laboratory tests have shown that this approach may reduce the damage done to other organs, whilst improving the effectiveness of treatment. Further, the research has shown this method to be particularly effective, with the amount of anticancer drugs delivered to the lungs rising to 83%, compared to 23% with conventional chemotherapy.

At this stage, the research has only undergone laboratory and animal testing, nevertheless it marks a significant breakthrough for mesothelioma treatment. The treatment will require further testing before it may be used for human clinical trials. It is hoped that one day in the future, mesothelioma treatment in Australia will be able to use such findings to assist those suffering mesothelioma in Australia fight this terrible illness

Mesothelioma is a rare disease which causes the cells of the mesothelium (a membrane that covers and protects organs in the body) to multiply rapidly and chaotically, thereby damaging tissues and organs within close proximity. Typically, mesothelioma is caused by working with asbestos. In Australia mesothelioma is prominent amongst shipyard workers, those who work in asbestos mines and mills, those who worked in the building industry, or those who aid in the production of asbestos.

The conventional approach of mesothelioma treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, however for some doctors and surgeons, these mesothelioma treatments are not impressive or aggressive enough. In fact, malignant mesothelioma has often been able to combat the positive effects of these treatments.

Recently, mesothelioma treatment in Australia has reached new levels. Scientists are focusing their energy equally into how we can avoid the use of asbestos, as well as how we can fight mesothelioma. The latest therapy is the fowlpox vaccination. Historically, farmers used this same vaccination on their chickens and turkeys to prevent outbreaks of contagious lesions. Scientists are attempting to use the fowlpox vaccine for both therapeutic and preventative purposes by inducing it as an immune response against mesothelioma cells. One of the main benefits of this vaccine is that this immune response may persist for years after vaccination, whereas the effect of chemotherapy only lasts a few days. The fowlpox vaccine also helps patients avoid the negative side effects of chemotherapy, which includes hair loss and nausea. This treatment for mesothelioma in Australia is yet to be available, as the development and testing of the vaccination is in its early stages. Although treatment of mesothelioma Australia is still of the ‘conventional’ standard, mesothelioma compensation is definitely available to those who seek it.

It is important to remember that treatment for mesothelioma in Australia is specific to the individual for the Australian with mesothelioma. In other words, the person suffering mesothelioma should obtain advice from the treating specialist, whatever that advice is. Clearly some treatments may assist some individuals suffering mesothelioma, and other treatments in Australia for mesothelioma won’t help other individuals.

Current mesothelioma treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, often cause side effects, including nausea, hair loss, nerve damage and more.

The newly developed cancer-fighting drugs, however, are different: they only target cancerous cells while leaving non-cancerous cells alone. As such, the drugs drastically reduce the side effects commonly associated with cancer treatment, and are being considered by the medical community as a potential breakthrough.

Although mesothelioma is a rare disease, Australia’s history of asbestos use and exposure has resulted in Australia having the highest incidence of mesothelioma cancers in the world. As many as 700 Australians are diagnosed with mesothelioma per year, wi th 18,000 individuals expected to be affected by 2020.

Mesothelioma treatment in Australia is something that you need to contact your specialist about. Often, one form or mesothelioma treatment is not suitable to a specific individual. Further, sometimes the condition of mesothelioma is not able to be treated. When treating mesothelioma, specific advice needs to be obtained and consideration by your medical specialists is most important.

At this conference, the findings of an Australian study on mesothelioma were presented. This study suggested molecules in blood may well be able to be used in diagnosing mesothelioma. If this study is right, then potentially mesothelioma could be diagnosed earlier than it currently is, which could potentially lead to better treatment of mesothelioma.

Worldwide study on mesothelioma continues. It is hoped this will ultimately lead to better treatment of this dreadful asbestos condition.

The manufactures of Alimta, hold the view that this chemotherapy drug is a treatment for pleural mesothelioma in combination with cisplatin (another chemotherapy drug) in circumstances when surgery is not an option.

Over the last few years, many of our clients suffering mesothelioma have undergone Alimta treatment with some reporting very positive results.

It is important to note however that individuals suffering mesothelioma should speak with their treating specialist to see whether this treatment is appropriate in their specific circumstance.

A pleurodesis is a procedure whereby talcum powder is inserted into the pleura to stick both layers of the pleura together. The intention of a pleurodesis is to prevent the re-accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.

A study published in the European Journal of Radiology noted that 58% of patients (in a study of 99 persons) presented with large pleural effusions for which a pleurodesis offered potential relief. A pleurodesis is considered successful when no further fluid accumulates.

In South Australia, we have found that for someone suffering a pleural mesothelioma, a pleurodesis if often (but not always) suggested.

Clearly whether or not a pleurodesis should be performed following the diagnosis of mesothelioma is something that must be determined by your specialist.