Are you familiar with mesothelioma cancer remission?
Remission in simpler terms means that cancer has improved. This means that the cancer cells have either stopped growing or are shrinking. Additionally, this is a positive turn for the patient's overall health.
When one experiences cancer remission, it brings relief for both the patient and the family members. This means that there is hope. After months or even years of an aggressive treatment regimen, tumor growth stops. This gives hope to the patient.
However, the reality with most patients is that recurrence of cancer follows remission.
In this article, we will be sharing what mesothelioma cancer remission looks like and the factors involved.
But before we dive into that topic, let's first understand what mesothelioma is.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a dangerous type of cancer. When one is exposed to asbestos, this is usually one of the main factors for mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a fiber that was previously used in construction and building materials.
Although asbestos is now banned in several states, buildings and houses that were built in the early 1900s may still contain asbestos. Because of this, residents of those houses or buildings may still be exposed to asbestos.
What Is Mesothelioma Cancer Remission?
Let's first dive into what mesothelioma cancer remission is.
Mesothelioma remission means that the cancer has improved. The cancer cells have either stopped growing or are getting smaller. When this happens, the patient can reduce or stop treatment.
This is a good thing. However, this does not mean that the battle is over. There is still a long way to go.
Cancer care is not a straight road. There are a lot of U-turns, roadblocks, and hurdles along the way.
This is not impossible. It can be achieved with proper medical treatment, complementary treatment, as well as healthy living.
Understanding Remission, Specifically Mesothelioma Cancer Remission
Particularly for mesothelioma cancer remission, doctors don't use the term “cured.” Why?
According to medical experts and studies, mesothelioma cancer is generally an incurable disease. Although it is possible for mesothelioma cancer patients to go into remission. But this does not mean that the cancer is completely gone.
It is essential that patients continue to have their regular check-ups and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Follow-up care and consistent checking and maintenance are crucial for patients.
This includes regular blood tests, scans, annual physical exams.
According to research, mesothelioma cancer remission is uncommon. But with aggressive treatment, this is not impossible.
What is Cancer Recurrence?
Cancer recurrence is what usually follows after cancer remission.
What is cancer recurrence?
Cancer recurrence means that the cancer cells have returned after remission. This is something that cancer patients commonly experience. It is also impossible to avoid. Although preventive measures are put in place, there is no guarantee that cancer recurrence will not occur.
The recurrence of mesothelioma cancer is common. This is because it stems from the tumors from this cancer. These tumors usually spread to the linings of the lungs, heart, and abdomen.
What's difficult with mesothelioma cancer is that the symptoms are only visible when the condition is already incurable.
Additionally, because the tumors are within close range to vital organs, this makes mesothelioma cancer so deadly.
Recurrent Mesothelioma
What is recurrent mesothelioma?
Recurrent cancer is when it comes back after being treated and going through a diagnosis.
The recurrence of cancer can either be local, which means it is in the same place where it started or near that area. It can also be distant, meaning it has spread to the other parts of the body aside from the original place it began.
For mesothelioma, it usually comes back after the first treatment. This is common for mesothelioma patients.
When this happens, the next treatment steps would be to undergo further treatment options. But these options would depend on the damage the cancer has caused, where the cancer cells are located, and the overall health of the patient.
According to medical experts, mesothelioma is considered to be an incurable type of disease. They consider partial remission of mesothelioma as already a miracle.
In order to achieve even partial remission from mesothelioma entails several types and levels of therapy.
There are also clinical trials that are available for new types of treatment options for mesothelioma. If there is no other option, doctors usually recommend the patients try out these new types of treatment.
But again, it all depends on the patient's condition. Additionally, there is a better chance of survival and remission if mesothelioma is detected earlier.
Can Mesothelioma Cancer Go Into Remission?
Now, let's look into the possibility of cancer remission in mesothelioma patients. Given the deadly nature of this disease, is it possible to go into remission?
The answer is, yes it can.
It is not impossible to go into remission. But it is difficult.
Advanced medical treatments are available nowadays. This is all thanks to science and technology. These treatments give patients the chance to live longer without feeling any painful symptoms or effects of this cancer.
Types of Mesothelioma Cancer Remissions
There are two types of cancer remissions for mesothelioma and in this section, we will be delving deeper into each one.
Let's dive into the two types of remissions under mesothelioma – partial remission and complete remission.
Partial Remission
The first type is what we call partial remission.
This type of remission is where cancer has significantly improved. Doctors usually consider this as partial remission if the cancer cells or tumor have lessened by 50% or more.
With partial remission, mesothelioma patients can live for several more years. But doctors continuously monitor the patients and have regular check-ups.
Complete Remission
When a cancer patient is under complete remission, this means there is no evidence of cancer. However, with mesothelioma cancer, this is a rare find. But with aggressive treatment, it is definitely possible.
Factors of Mesothelioma Remission
Below are some of the many factors of mesothelioma cancer remission:
- Systemic chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Significant dietary changes
- Supplements
- Oxygen therapy
- Other types of mesothelioma treatment
In Conclusion
Mesothelioma is a tricky disease to deal with. For medical experts, they consider this type of cancer as incurable. This is because of the very dangerous nature of this cancer.
