Managing Mesothelioma Pain with Palliative Treatment

How Can Palliative Treatment Benefit Mesothelioma Patients?

Palliative treatment can control symptoms and improve quality of life and survival for mesothelioma patients. It particularly benefits late-stage patients coping with pain. A 2023 study in the British Journal of Community Nursing said palliative care even helps early-stage mesothelioma patients. 

A 2022 study published in the journal In Vivo showed palliative treatment can extend life. Early use of palliative care improved overall survival. Other studies show it improves prognosis, life expectancy and overall survival. Symptom management, including loss of appetite, also improves.

Palliative treatment aimed at minimizing mesothelioma symptoms can benefit well-being and survival. An Australian study found that palliative treatment for poor appetite improved survival rates.

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care

Both palliative and hospice care for mesothelioma patients aim to improve quality of life and comfort. But they aren’t the same types of care. Hospice care is for people with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. It doesn’t include curative treatment. Palliative care happens in conjunction with cancer treatment. 

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and medication can all be part of palliative treatment. Therapies can improve breathing and reduce excess fluid in the chest and abdomen.

“There’s still a lot of confusion about what palliative treatment is versus hospice care,” says Patient Advocate Karen Selby of The Mesothelioma Center. “I find it important to explain what palliative care is and how patients typically do better integrating it early on rather than waiting.” 

Who Provides Palliative Care for Mesothelioma Patients?

Oncologists, surgeons, nurse specialists, pain specialists, physical therapists and dietitians offer mesothelioma palliative care. It requires a team approach to ensure that a patient’s needs are addressed. Addressing stress, depression, anxiety and fear can improve quality of life.

Mental health experts, patient advocates and spiritual advisors can also help. Mesothelioma survivor Michael Cole says mental health support helped ease his symptoms. He explained, “It had become almost impossible for me to sleep, and I began using mild medication to help.”

“My thoracic surgeon recommended I speak with a psychiatrist,” Cole said. “[They] explained how trauma to the body interacts with brain function, which can result in a loop effect causing more pain and stress.”

Palliative care can take place in a hospital, cancer center, long-term care facility or at home. Cancer centers specialize in meeting the unique needs of cancer patients. You have a variety of options when choosing where to receive palliative care.

Effective Palliative Treatments for Mesothelioma 

The best palliative treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and your symptoms. The stage also plays a role. Your medical team can advise which treatments will benefit you the most.

Mesothelioma treatment options can cause side effects. Palliative care can help keep them in control. While side effects are temporary, you should discuss their potential with your doctor.

Palliative treatment may also involve more than one type of medical care. Multimodal therapy is common in both curative and palliative mesothelioma care

Surgery

Palliative surgery for mesothelioma can relieve the symptoms caused by fluid build-up like pleural effusions. Fluid accumulation can cause difficulty breathing, pain and other complications.

Fluid-Draining Procedures

• Paracentesis: This minor surgery drains fluid from the abdominal lining.
• Pericardiocentesis: This procedure removes fluid buildup in the sac encasing the heart.
• Pleurodesis: Seals the pleural space to prevent fluid from building up there.
• Thoracentesis: A minimally invasive procedure to remove fluid from the lung lining

Cytoreductive surgery is invasive surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. It can have a palliative effect by controlling symptoms. 

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an anti-cancer treatment for mesothelioma, but it can also play a role in palliative care. The side effects of chemotherapy can be harsh. Medications can reduce the negative effects, so patients can benefit from chemo.

Chemotherapy Administration

• HIPEC: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy uses heated chemotherapy drugs infused into the abdomen after cytoreductive surgery.
• HITOC: Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy is similar to HIPEC and involves heated saline solution in the chest cavity.
• Systemic Chemotherapy: Usually administered via intravenous infusion for pleural and pericardial mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy is most often used on its own but is also used following surgery. HIPEC can extend life expectancy for mesothelioma patients. HITHOC hasn’t been found to provide as much benefit but can be beneficial for some patients.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy can improve mesothelioma survival and quality of life. Many patients experience fewer side effects compared to chemo.

Some palliative treatments can affect immunotherapy. Opioids prescribed for pain and corticosteroids for inflammation have immunosuppressive effects. The impact of antibiotics on healthy gut bacteria may impact immunotherapy. 

Radiation Therapy

Radiation can shrink tumors, helping to relieve the pain they can cause. While it can cause skin irritation and fatigue, it’s useful for improving quality of life. 

Radiation is used almost exclusively in pleural mesothelioma. It does not work for pericardial cases and is hard to use in peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Pain Management Techniques

Surgery and medication can help relieve certain types of mesothelioma pain. Mild pain may be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen. More severe pain is usually treated with opioid drugs. Examples include morphine, oxycodone or tramadol. IV pain medication may be needed for severe pain.

Other pain management techniques can be helpful as well. While pain originates in the body, it’s interpreted in the brain. Cognitive and behavioral techniques may help you manage your pain. 

Mesothelioma Pain Management

• Acupuncture
• Cognitive Behavioral Techniques
• Distraction or Refocusing
• Exercise and Physical Therapy
• Hypnosis
• Massage
• Meditation
• Reiki
• Respiratory Therapy
• Soaking in a Warm Bath
• Visualization Exercises
• Walking
• Warm Washcloths or Heating Pads
• Yoga

Palliative care may improve your symptoms and even increase mesothelioma life expectancy. Complementary and alternative medicine isn’t recommended to replace traditional treatment. But it may offer symptomatic relief and improve your quality of life.

Many patients find relief with a holistic approach to palliative care. Some combine medication for anxiety and depression along with talk therapy and yoga.

Palliative Treatment and Nutrition

A mesothelioma cancer patient can improve their diet with the supervision of a licensed dietitian. Nutrition supports mesothelioma treatment, helping the body heal and sustain the immune system.

A mesothelioma diet combined with prescription drugs can improve nutrition. Drugs can help increase appetite and treat nausea and vomiting. Consult a licensed dietitian and your treatment team before making changes. 

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