Radiation Treatment: Mesothelioma

Radiation Treatment for Mesothelioma Cancer

Radiation treatment is among the treatment options available to a mesothelioma patient. It utilizes high dose radiation to damage mesothelioma cancer cells so that they cannot divide or multiply. This reduces the size of the mesothelioma tumor. Radiation sources include x-rays, neutrons, photons and cobalt.

Types of Radiation Therapy

Radiation can be delivered via internal radiation therapy, external radiation beam therapy or radioisotopes. Internal radiation therapy makes use of plastic tubes, wires or catheters. These devices are placed near or into the mesothelioma tumor in order to deliver the radiation. External beam radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine that projects a beam of radiation to the tumor. Radioisotopes are materials that emit radiation. Laboratory results indicate that mesothelioma cells show a high degree of sensitivity to radiation but cell lines from different patients may show varying degrees of sensitivity. Radiation therapy can lead to regression of the mesothelioma tumor but has not been shown to improve survival rates.

Limitations of Radiation Therapy

Radiation treatment for pleural mesothelioma entails high doses of radiation because it is an extensive disease covering the pleura. Side effects of high doses of radiation include: damage to the lung, heart, spinal cord and liver, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, hair loss, stiffness, aching, digestive problems and skin irritation.

Radiation therapy alone is unable to destroy the entire mesothelioma tumor and therefore, radiation therapy is used in conjunction with other treatment techniques such as surgery and chemotherapy.

More Information on Radiation Treatment for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma patients can learn more about radiation treatment by visiting these websites: