How is mesothelioma treated in Israel?

Mesothelioma or pleural cancer is an aggressive tumor that develops from mesothelium. Currently, there are three forms of this disease:

1. Multi-cystic;
2. Diffuse;
3. Localized.

The type of tumor depends on the part of the mesothelium in which the malignant tumor is developing .

The most common pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the tissues surrounding the lungs. Also there are varieties of this tumor affecting tissue located around the testicles, heart and abdominal cavity. In most cases, mesothelioma is a lone, benign fibrous tumor. Malignant form of mesothelioma is rare, and sometimes it is associated with the influence on the body of particles of certain types of asbestos.

To date, the treatment of mesothelioma in Israel uses a comprehensive approach that gives a positive long-term result.

Mesothelioma treatment in Israel begins with a course of diagnosis, which includes a preliminary examination and the following studies:

• X-ray studies;
• Computed tomography of the sternum or abdomen;
• Biopsy;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• Positron Emission Tomography.

Based on the results obtained in the course of these studies, a course of treatment is prescribed, which largely depends on the stage of tumor development.

At the first stage of pleural mesothelioma, only one part of the thorax is affected. At this stage, the cancer is considered localized.

In the second stage of pleural mesothelioma, malignant tumors spread beyond the mucous membrane of the sternum to the diaphragm or lung.

The third stage is characterized by a further spread of the malignant tumor and damage to the lymph nodes adjacent to it.

At the fourth stage of pleural mesothelioma, metastases are observed to distant organs, such as the liver, brain,

Methods for treating cancer in Israel are determined by such factors as the state of the patient's health, the stage of development of the tumor, as well as the features of the course of the disease. Because this type of tumor is very aggressive, if it is detected in advanced stages of development, surgical intervention is impossible because of the large number of metastases. Nevertheless, it is possible to alleviate the symptoms and restrain the spread of the tumor throughout the body. To do this, an operation to reduce the level of fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, which has appeared under the influence of mesothelioma, can be prescribed.

In the event that surgical treatment of mesothelioma can prescribe the removal of the tumor along with the surrounding tissues. The operation to remove lung tissue and ribs is called pleurectomy.

Also, to ease the symptoms, one of the lungs and surrounding tissues can be removed. This helps to reduce symptoms and use high-dosage chemotherapy drugs.

If surgery is not possible, chemotherapy is used to reduce or restrain tumor growth. Particularly worth noting the technique of intraperitoneal chemotherapy - the introduction directly into the thoracic or abdominal cavity pre-heated chemotherapeutic drugs. This allows you not to harm the healthy tissues of the body, even at a sufficiently high dosage.

In addition, chemotherapy is used after surgery in order to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of mesothelioma by destroying the remaining cancer cells after surgery.

Radiotherapy is used in the treatment of mesothelioma to reduce the size of the tumor and the manifestations of this disease. In addition, it can be administered after a biopsy to prevent the germination of malignant tissues into the surgical incision. Radiation therapy is not used as an independent method for treating mesothelioma.