Palliative Care for Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma

When faced with terminal malignant mesothelioma, an advanced form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, good palliative care and pain management is essential for improving quality of life and helping relieve anxiety and fear for the patient and for family members.

 

Advanced incurable mesothelioma often requires frontline treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. These treatments are intended to improve quality of life and survival times but currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma.

 

Because there is no cure, improving quality of life is one of the main focuses for patients with this type of cancer. Measures need to be taken to relieve symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, and fatigue. Mesothelioma treatments that reduce tumor size and the number of cancer cells in the body can relieve pain and cancer-associated side effects. They must be considered. Untreated pain diminishes a patient’s ability to eat, sleep, interact well with family and friends, and can lead to depression.

 

Good palliative care helps many mesothelioma patients to live the last years or months of their lives with reduced cancer-related symptoms and to face end of life with more dignity and peace. When faced with the end of life, every day counts. Consult with you oncologist and health care team to explore options to help minimize pain and optimize quality of life.