Treatment

Conventional cancer therapy and diagnostics involves the application of catheters, surgery, biopsy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Most current anticancer agents do not greatly differentiate between cancerous and normal cells. This leads to systemic toxicity and adverse effects. Consequently, the systemic application of these drugs often causes severe sideeffects in other tissues (e.g. bone marrow suppression, cardiomyopathy, and neurotoxicity), which greatly limits the maximal allowable dose of the drug. In addition, rapid elimination and widespread distribution into nontargeted organs and tissues requires the administration of a drug in large quantities, which is uneconomical and is often complicated because of nonspecific toxicity.

New Approaches to Mesothelioma Treatment

Significant progress has been made in the development of new agents against cancer and new delivery technologies. Proteomics and genomics continue to uncover molecular signatures that are unique to cancer. Yet, the major challenge remains in targeting and selectively killing mesothelioma cells while affecting as few healthy cells as possible. Nanometer-sized particles have novel optical, electronic, and structural properties that are not available from either individual molecules or bulk solids. When linked with tumor-targeting moieties, such as tumor-specific ligands or monoclonal antibodies, these nanoparticles can be used to target cancer-specific receptors, tumor antigens (biomarkers), and tumor vasculatures with high affinity and precision.

Coventional chemotherapy agents such as platinum-based cisplatin continue to be used and the standard treatment for mesothelioma is now surgery followed by a combination of Alimta and cisplatin.

Considerations to Help Find the Right Treatment Center for You

The following are questions that you should consider carefully when you begin to search for a new cancer treatment center to help treat your type of cancer:

• What are the treatment facility credentials, training and experience in treating your cancer type, available technologies, and treatment options available?

It is important to find out the types of treatment that your chosen treatment center specializes in and whether or not the facility can meet your treatment needs. Do they have the latest technologies available, the training and the expertise in your treatment type? Are they a research center, or try to improve cancer treatments? Have they been successful in treating your cancer type? The answers to these questions should be considered carefully to help you decide on whether or not a treatment center is the place for you to receive the best care possible for your cancer treatment plan.

• Do the staff members work in collaboration with one another and are they sensitive to the patient needs?

  The staff of a treatment center plays an important role in meeting the cancer treatment goals of the patients. They are part of the patient’s healthcare team during the treatment period. Their role is important in helping the patient feel comfortable and positive during this difficult stage. If the staff works in collaboration it will reduce the risk of miscommunication and increase patient confidence. Consider whether or not the staff seems supportive and sensitive to patient needs. Does the treatment center give you access to an expanded team of experts such as dieticians, social workers, nurses, or other health care team support staff to meet your needs during cancer treatment?

The following are other questions you may want to consider when narrowing down the search for a new cancer treatment center.

• Is the treatment center conveniently located to your home? If not, and you must travel a distance, is the facility convenient to hotels, airports, or restaurants?
• Is the facility approved by a national accrediting body?
• Does the treatment center offer clinical trials?
• Does your health insurance coverage include the treatment centers of your choice?

How to Seek a Second Opinion to Confirm a Cancer Diagnosis

It’s not uncommon for patients to seek a second opinion once they have been diagnosed with cancer. Even if you trust your doctor implicitly, you should get a second opinion. Doctors may agree on a diagnosis, but may differ on treatment options or plans. Some doctors may be aware of clinical trials as an alternative treatment option that other doctors may not be aware of. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the doctor or doctors are incorrect, but it increases the chances that you make the best decision on what course of action to take to make sure you decide on the best treatment plan option for your case.

Advantages and Reasons to Seek a Second Opinion

It’s an advantage for patients to seek a second opinion even after being diagnosed with cancer. Following are some important reasons to get a second opinion:

• Confirmation of the original cancer diagnosis, or to catch an undiagnosed cancer that leads to earlier treatment.

  A second opinion can confirm the original diagnosis and put patient questions to rest and help the patient focus on a treatment plan. If a cancer is found present after a second opinion and was not originally diagnosed, this only leads to opportunity for earlier cancer treatment. A second opinion can help save a patient’s life.

• Can disclose a lot more information about the case.
  The second opinion can disclose evidence that some other disease is present, other than cancer and avoid unnecessary treatment. This can save the patient discomfort, money, and time. If it is a rare type of cancer, a second opinion can bring forth more information about the particular cancer type and treatment.
• Some health insurance plans require a second opinion.
  Insurance companies may require a second opinion to confirm a first diagnosis before they agree to cover the costs of the cancer treatment.
• Access to cancer specialists and experts.
  Seeking a second opinion can give a patient exposure to experts and specialists in the field that they may have never had the opportunity to come in contact with.

At the very least, a second opinion can give a patient peace of mind, but it can also lead to more information that helps the patient choose a cancer treatment option that is the best for his or her particular type of cancer.