Radiation Mesothelioma - Radiation therapy for mesothelioma - Radiation therapy, or ionizing radiation, is used to kill cancer cells and to limit the spread of cancer. For patients with mesothelioma, radiation therapy is most commonly used in conjunction with surgery.
However, in some cases radiation can be used as a stand-alone treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with mesothelioma. In both cases, radiation therapy is rarely more than short-term symptom relief.
Mesothelioma patients can receive one of two types of radiation therapy, depending on whether or not they are suitable candidates for good procedures.
External beam radiation therapy is a type of traditional radiation therapy, in which tumors are bombarded with radiation to kill cancer cells. Brachytherapy is a newer type of radiation treatment. This involves small radioactive rods planted inside the tumor to provide a strong and concentrated dose of radiation to the tumor while doing little damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Mesothelioma patients can receive radiation therapy before, during or after surgery in an effort to shrink the tumor or prevent cancer recurrence. By itself, radiation can reduce pain, and generally brings fewer side effects than chemotherapy. This treatment can be used at any stage of cancer.
The main goal of radiation therapy is to increase life expectancy by preventing cancer cells from spreading. Doctors use it either in combination with other treatments or alone as a palliative therapy to manage symptoms.
Oncologists have used radiation as a cancer treatment for decades, and technological advances have made it a very fine treatment. Well-targeted radiation can kill cancer cells without causing serious side effects that often accompany chemotherapy.
A 2016 study of researchers at the Icahn Medical School in New York reviewed the results for thousands of pleural mesothelioma patients. Overall survival at two and five-year signs is almost double that for patients receiving radiation therapy, regardless of what other treatments are used
Doctors can provide radiation therapy to patients at various stages of mesothelioma for various reasons, including:
- Better Survival: When combined with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation can help you live longer by reducing the risk of local recurrence. Some patients live three to five years longer with this approach.
- Pain Relief: Radiation therapy relieves pain by reducing the size of mesothelioma tumors. This reduces pressure on the lungs and chest. About 60 percent of mesothelioma patients report symptomatic relief after radiation therapy.
- Suction Prevention: During surgery, microscopic cancer cells can move to new areas. This is known as hatchery. Radiation therapy along the incision site is common. Even simple radiation at the operating site or tube can help.
Types of Radiation for Mesothelioma
Radiation for malignant mesothelioma can be applied externally and internally. The internal form is called brachytherapy. An external form is called external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).EBRT is more commonly used for pleural mesothelioma because it has been proven to be more effective.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation is non-invasive and involves high-energy rays that directly target malignant tumors. This is done by experienced radiologists who consider tumor size, location, cancer staging and general health of the patient.Patients undergo external beam radiation
To help reduce the risk of an adverse reaction, the computer guides the radiation machine to give a certain dose to the right area, ensuring healthy cells are not damaged.The radiation beam corresponds to the 3-D form of the tumor and is emitted in several doses. This allows a higher radiation dose in the tumor, while minimizing the dose to the surrounding organs and tissues.
The most common and effective type of EBRT for mesothelioma is intensity modulated radiation therapy. IMRT is an advanced form of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. This changes the strength of the beam in certain areas, allowing it to target the tumor precisely.
External beam radiation is fast and painless, and each session only takes a few minutes. Preparation time - get you in the right position for treatment - can take longer. Treatment is usually given five days a week for several weeks.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy that kills cancer cells with radioactive substances that are planted inside the tumor.The doctor can place radioactive material during surgery or use a vacuum tube with the help of imaging scans. Brachytherapy can also be used for a while for biopsies and surgical scars to prevent the spread of cancer.
This has been effective in treating lung cancer when placed on a tumor site, but is rarely used for the treatment of mesothelioma.
Time of Impact Result
Doctors apply external beam radiation therapy at different times for different effects. EBRT as a single treatment can be applied at any time to control pain.When combined with surgery for pleural mesothelioma, EBRT can be applied after, before or during the procedure.
Radiation Therapy After Surgery
Traditionally, multimodal therapy for pleural mesothelioma begins with chemotherapy followed by surgery and then radiation therapy after the patient has recovered from surgery.In this arrangement, radiation is used to kill cancer cells left behind in the operation. This technique delays or reduces the risk of local recurrence.
About half of the early stage patients with epithelioid mesothelioma can live more than five years with this treatment.
Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy (SMART)
This treatment approach is a reversal of traditional protocols. This has produced impressive results for some mesothelioma patients.In the 2015 study, specialists at two leading cancer centers in Toronto estimated an average overall survival of 51 months for pleural mesothelioma patients using the SMART approach. Approximately 66 percent of patients with epithelial tumors at an early stage live longer than three years.
An experienced multidisciplinary team is needed to safely implement the SMART approach. A high level of radiation is applied to the lungs, which can be fatal if the lungs are not removed. This means that once patients receive radiation, they have to undergo surgery.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is used as part of a surgical procedure.A radiologist applies light to the affected area to help prevent seeding or spread of cancer cells during surgery. The dose of concentrated radiation is sent to the tumor site as soon as the tumor is removed.
This option can help some patients complete treatment faster, reducing the need for additional radiation therapy after surgery. Patients who need additional radiation sessions can get encouragement from IORT and usually experience fewer complications.
Radiation Therapy Process
Most people are not sure what to expect when receiving radiation therapy. In general, patients undergo initial consultation, get imaging scans, and then receive outpatient care.- First appointment: During a consultation visit, you will meet with a radiation oncologist to discuss the best approach to your case. You may be asked to sign an approval form after you are fully informed of the process and want to continue treatment.
- Imaging Scans: To ensure accurate and safe applications, imaging scans are performed to determine the exact size, shape and location of the tumor. Radiation applications are based on these images to ensure safety.
- Treatment: A medical professional will explain what you need to do before, during, and after treatment. They will help position you and apply a protective cover to prevent radiation exposure to healthy tissues. Radiation is usually done one or several times a week for several weeks.
- Follow-up Promises: During a follow-up appointment, your doctor will check for signs of side effects. Imaging scans will be taken to keep an eye on how radiation affects the size of your tumor.
Common Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is not painful during administration. No need to worry about pain when receiving treatment.After treatment, some people may experience skin irritation around the area where radiation is given.
Side effects of radiation are most often temporary and are usually more limited than chemotherapy, which can affect the whole body. However, some side effects of radiation may be chronic and appear months or years after the patient completes treatment.
Most side effects develop as tissue damage accumulates during several radiation sessions. One cycle can take up to eight weeks. As treatment progresses, side effects often become more severe.
Common side effects of radiation:
- Skin Problems: Radiation-related irritations, known as radiodermatitis, occur most often at the point where the radiation beam is focused. May cause a rash, redness and feeling tight or swollen. Peeling or darkening of the skin can occur.
- Fatigue: Energy loss is usually the most severe two to four hours after a radiation session. It may also peak between the third and fifth weeks of treatment because the healing process uses more of the patient's energy.
Side Effects of Radiation by Type of Mesothelioma
Advanced radiation therapy delivery methods can help reduce the amount of healthy tissue exposed to radiation. However, some side effects may still occur in areas where radiation enters the body.This type of diagnosis of mesothelioma affects how a person's body will react to radiation therapy.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Receiving radiation treatment to the chest can improve pleural mesothelioma symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and coughing.In rare cases, scarring in the lungs, called fibrosis, can occur.
Radiation to the chest can also cause inflammation of the lungs or the lining of the heart. There is also a risk of damage to the heart muscle, which results in heart poisoning.
Other rare complications include fluid buildup (pleural effusion), lung collapse and lymph node calcification. Research shows that pleural effusion, if they develop at all, is usually reported within six months of initial radiation treatment.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Radiation therapy has limited uses for those with peritoneal mesothelioma. The reason is location.Peritoneal cancer involves the lining of the abdominal cavity. Radiation can be very toxic to the small intestine, liver, kidneys and other organs in this area.
The only type of radiation used in peritoneal patients is to prevent the spread of cancer to biopsies and surgical scars.
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects in patients who receive radiation to the stomach. These side effects can be caused by radiation damage to the gastrointestinal tract. These side effects are also common in patients who receive other mesothelioma treatments, especially chemotherapy.
Inflammation in the bladder, known as cystitis, may also occur. It may be difficult to completely empty your bladder, urinate at normal intervals or control the flow of urine from your bladder when you cough or sneeze.
In rare cases, urine may appear bleeding or the bladder may begin cramping or spasms. These side effects can occur within three to five weeks of treatment.
Is Radiation Therapy Right for You?
Despite recent progress, a number of experts have questioned the benefits of radiation therapy for mesothelioma. This concern arises from inconsistent results published in clinical trials and scientific studies.The decision to include radiation therapy in your treatment plan is up to you and your oncologist. The potential benefits of therapy may outweigh the risks and side effects.
However, you need to discuss the pros and cons of your oncologist to make a decision.
