Maintenance treatment of pleural mesothelioma

Maintenance treatment of pleural mesothelioma is a comprehensive process that aims to delay the progression of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life, and prolong survival as much as possible through a series of therapeutic measures.

Chemotherapy is an important component of maintenance treatment for pleural mesothelioma. Commonly used chemotherapy regimens include pemetrexed combined with platinum (such as cisplatin or carboplatin) and gemcitabine combined with cisplatin. These regimens control the progression of the disease by inhibiting the growth and division of tumor cells. Chemotherapy usually requires multiple courses, and the specific plan needs to be formulated by the doctor based on the patient's specific situation and severity of the disease.

Immunotherapy is an emerging treatment modality that activates the patient's own immune system to attack tumor cells. In the maintenance treatment of pleural mesothelioma, immunotherapy may be used as an auxiliary method to help improve the patient's immunity and anti-tumor ability. However, the effects of immunotherapy vary depending on individual patients and may be accompanied by certain side effects.

Treatment targeting specific gene mutations or targets in pleural mesothelioma can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. At present, some targeted drugs such as sunitinib, thalidomide, and bevacizumab have been studied for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma and have achieved certain results. However, the therapeutic effect of targeted drugs also needs to be evaluated based on the patient's specific situation and disease severity.

Supportive care is equally important during the maintenance treatment of pleural mesothelioma. This includes nutritional support, pain management, psychological support and more. Nutritional support can help patients maintain good nutritional status and improve the body's resistance; pain management can relieve patients' pain symptoms and improve their quality of life; psychological support can help patients relieve negative emotions such as anxiety and depression and enhance their confidence in treatment.

Maintenance treatment of pleural mesothelioma is a long-term process, and patients need regular review and follow-up to monitor changes in the condition. The doctor will make a review plan based on the patient's specific situation and severity of illness, including imaging tests, blood tests, etc. Through regular review and follow-up, changes in the condition can be discovered in time and treatment plans can be adjusted.

(Click to view the introduction of drugs for treating pleural mesothelioma)

References:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mesothelioma/treatment/decisions-pleural