In 2004, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved Alimta, the first approved mesothelioma drug. This medication is intended for treatment of malignant mesothelioma and is generally used in conjunction with Cisplatin, a platinum compound which has been used as a general cancer treatment since its FDA approval in 1979. Used in combination, the drugs attack the cancerous cell growth. Some mesothelioma victims are too weak to be treated with surgery or in a later stage cancer, resulting in chemotherepy being the best option. Read more »

For years, medical researchers have studied cancer and monitored its progression in terms of stages, which allows doctors to determine the extent the patient's cancer and how far has it has spread. The proper staging of cancer is critical in allowing the oncologist to determine the best course of mesothelioma treatment.

Below is a general list of mesothelioma stages a patient may experience: Read more »

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location and size of the cancerous tumor, the progression of the disease, and the patient's age and health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherepy.

Depending on the patient's conditions, these treatments can be combined:

• Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma, which may involve removing part of the lining and tissue of the chest or abdomen. For cancer of the pleura, a pneumonectomy may have to be performed, in which one of the lungs may be removed if the cancer is severe. Read more »