Mesothelioma Lawsuit Lawyer, William Kherkher

Mesothelioma Treatment: Radiation Therapy

Mesothelioma, a type of cancer usually caused by the toxic chemical asbestos has a variety of treatments. One such treatment, especially when the cancer is localized or when the patient’s health is too poor to undergo surgery, is radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy takes many forms, all of which are a variation on a theme of “external beam radiation therapy.” As the name of the treatment suggests, the treatment involves shooting a beam of x-rays from outside of the body directed at the location of the cancer. Such a treatment usually lasts for 3 to 5 weeks, for 5 days a week.

External beam radiation therapy has a number of variants. Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive material directly into the region of the cancer. Adjuvant radiation therapy is lighter form of radiation therapy that is used to complement surgery when the cancer still remains in small portions of the body. Lastly, palliative radiation therapy is radiation therapy that treats the symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing.

Despite the variation in radiation therapy, it is not used often because it is not as effective as other treatments. Moreover, radiation therapy has many side effects, such as fatigue and skin discoloration. More severe side effects are vomiting and diarrhea.

Mesothelioma is a serious disease for which there are a number of treatments but which are, of course, expensive. Because mesothelioma is often caused by asbestos, it can be prevented.

Turn to a Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos, contact the Mesothelioma Lawsuit Lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 1-866-950-9000.