While malignant mesothelioma is always considered a terminal condition, there have been some significant breakthroughs in treatment over the years, particularly for those diagnosed with the peritoneal type of the disease. Among the most notable is the introduction of the CRS/HIPEC, or cytoreductive surgery/heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment. A recent study confirms that the procedure has improved and delivered better outcomes in the years since it was first introduced.
CRS/HIPEC Procedure Delivers Drugs Directly to Mesothelioma Site
When patients are diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, CRS/HIPEC offers one of their best chances for extended survival. The procedure starts with physicians operating to remove visible mesothelioma tumors from the abdominal cavity, and then pouring in a heated chemotherapy solution to the open surgical site. This direct delivery bathes the site in drugs that can kill any mesothelioma cells left behind.
The use of HIPEC both eliminates the side effects that typically follow systemic chemotherapy, and has been shown to slow the return of mesothelioma tumors that eventually grow from microscopic cells that the cytoreductive surgery fails to eliminate. As a result, patients live longer.
Study Reviews Evolution of CRS/HIPEC Procedure
The journal Biology recently published a study conducted by French researchers who analyzed the evolution of the RS/HIPEC procedure from its earliest days. Their report concluded that it has gotten safer, with surgeons devising better ways to detect exactly where the cancer cells were hidden to make removal easier and more effective. They noted that the drugs that are used have also improved, all leading to mesothelioma patients living longer following surgery.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, it is important that you have access to experienced physicians who can offer state-of-the-art treatment. For information on these and other resources, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
