Mesothelioma TreatmentOther Therapies
Pleurodesis
Mesothelioma is a disease which can often cause patients a great deal of pain, but doctors and researchers have devised a number of procedures that help ease the symptoms of those with this type of cancer, allowing them to lead a more productive, comfortable life. These are called palliative procedures.
One such procedure is called pleurodesis. This treatment is aimed at stopping fluid build-up in the lungs, therefore easing shortness of breath. Meso patients are usually faced with these symptoms due to the nature of the disease. Any fluid in the lung will keep it from expanding fully, causing breathlessness whenever fluid is present.
Pleurodesis seals the space between the pleura so that fluid can not collect there. This is achieved by introducing a chemical agent into the area, usually talc or doxycycline, which will cause the tissues to become enflamed and subsequently close the space between the layers.
There are two options in performing pleurodesis.
If the doctor believes that a patient does not fall into the high risk category, pleurodesis may be performed outside an operating room during hospitalization. A sedative and general anesthetic will be given to the patient and a chest tube will be inserted to drain any existing fluid. Depending on the extent of the fluid, this process may take a few days. When all the fluid is removed, the talc or doxycycline will be inserted through the chest tube and clamped to avoid leakage. A suction devise is then used to bring the two lung surfaces together. The biggest disadvantage of a non-surgical pleurodesis is that the chest tube may be in place for several days, which is quite uncomfortable, prompting the need for painkillers.
If your doctor chooses to perform pleurodesis in the operating room, youll be given a general anesthetic. A thoracic surgeon (a doctor who specializes in diseases of the chest) will make an incision in the chest and insert a video-assisted thorascope to assist in viewing the inside of the lung. The video will also help the doctor to insert the chemical agent directly onto the pleural surface. This procedure carries all the risks of any surgery, including allergies to anesthesia, infection, or bleeding.
You may or may not be a candidate for this procedure. If your lung capacity is already seriously diminished, pleurodesis may not work for you.
