How Is Radiation Therapy Used to Treat Mesothelioma?

What Is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy particle beams to eradicate cancer cells within a targeted area and prevent them from spreading throughout the body. This has been shown to shrink mesothelioma tumors, relieving associated pressure and pain. Oncologists utilize “targeted” therapy — only exposing specific areas of the body to minimize damage to healthy cells. As a result, patients report fewer side effects than other forms of treatment, like chemotherapy.

There are several advantages to using this type of therapy for malignant mesothelioma. Radiation may be administered during any stage of the disease as both a curative treatment to extend life or as a palliative treatment to make the patient more comfortable. Like other treatment options, radiation can be used alone or combined with surgery or chemotherapy. When following surgery, adjuvant radiation therapy has shown increased survival times, as it kills any remaining cancer cells not removed during the surgery.

3 Ways Radiation Can Help Treat Mesothelioma

1. Improving overall survival: A 2018 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology compiled nine years of studies from the National Cancer Data Base on patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The results: patients who underwent adjuvant radiation therapy — therapy occurring after surgery — survived longer than those who had surgery alone.
2. Seeding prevention: Some studies indicate that it is possible for microscopic cancer cells to metastasize (or spread) to other areas of the body during surgery. This is called “seeding.” To combat this, oncologists may deliver radiation therapy to prevent new tumor growth.
3. Easing discomfort: As cancer progresses, tumors grow larger and press against internal organs, leading to pain and discomfort such as breathing difficulties. Radiation therapy is often used to shrink those tumors, especially for patients who can’t undergo surgery to remove them.

Administering Radiation Therapy to Mesothelioma Patients

Treatment can be administered in two ways: externally and internally. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common and involves using an external machine to direct high-energy beams into specific areas of the body. Brachytherapy, or internal radiation, involves placing radioactive material inside the body on or near the tumor.

EBRT is the most common form of radiation therapy used to treat mesothelioma. The procedure is noninvasive and generally done on an outpatient basis. Typically, patients will receive doses five times a week. Appointments last between 10 to 30 minutes. Patients may notice relief from specific symptoms after just one or two visits.

3 Ways to Prepare for Radiation Therapy

1. Rest: Radiation therapy is usually administered in brief, concentrated doses over a period of three to four weeks. This treatment can tax the immune system, causing patients to feel more tired than usual. This exhaustion can last for several weeks after treatment, so it’s vital to schedule extra time off to allow the body to rest and rejuvenate.
2. Plan meals: Treating areas near the abdomen or throat can cause digestive issues or lead to a temporary loss of your ability to taste food. Spicy and chewy foods can be tough to swallow. Oncologists suggest eating a bland diet of soft foods for a few weeks. Maintaining good hydration and adequate fluid intake is also essential when you are in radiation therapy.
3. Ask for help: Side effects from radiation therapy can last for several weeks after the treatment ends. Simple tasks like cleaning, running errands, doing laundry, or cooking can feel exhausting and overwhelming. It may help to gather a small group of family members and close friends who can help with daily or weekly errands and chores.

What to Expect During Your Treatment

Shortly before your first appointment, you’ll meet with your oncologist and a radiation therapist. Together, they’ll design a treatment plan that works specifically for you. This process may be called “radiation simulation” and involves taking images and making minor marks around the treatment area to ensure your body is in the ideal position and treatment is given in the right field to minimize toxicity and damage to nearby healthy cells.

This treatment option is not invasive, and the process is similar to having an X-ray. Patients lie down on a table in the exact same position each time to ensure the radiation reaches the correct area of the body. In some cases, the therapist administering treatment will use an immobilization device — like a head or neck cradle — to prevent excess movement.

Once your body is correctly placed, the specialist will move into a control room where he or she can administer and watch the treatment from a television monitor. You may hear the machine click or make soft whirring sounds as it moves around the table. There is a microphone in the treatment room, so you may ask questions or talk at any time.

The radiation therapist will work with your oncologist to monitor your treatments. This monitoring will help the medical team see how your body responds to the treatment and determine if any changes need to be made during therapy. For example, if any tumors shrink significantly, your therapist may decide to adjust the treatment area, making it smaller to avoid damaging nearby healthy cells.

3 Common Side Effects of Treatment

As with any treatment, patients may experience both short-term and long-term side effects of radiation therapy. These vary depending on the type of mesothelioma the patient is fighting, the size of the area that is exposed, and the length of treatment. Receiving this treatment isn’t painful, but the side effects can be uncomfortable. It’s important to keep track of any symptoms you are experiencing and talk to your doctor if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Some medications can provide relief both during and after treatment. Below you will find the most common side effects of mesothelioma radiation therapy treatment.

1. Hair loss: Hair follicles are sensitive and don’t respond well to radiation therapy. Two to three weeks after treatment, patients may experience temporary or even permanent hair loss in and around the targeted treatment areas.
2. Skin irritation: Red, irritated skin is a common symptom for more than 80 percent of patients. This type of treatment often causes the skin to peel away faster than it grows back, leading to blisters and even ulcers. Radiation-induced dermatitis usually heals within two to four weeks after therapy. Talk to your doctor if your reaction is severe.
3. Fatigue: This therapy destroys both healthy and cancerous cells, which can stress your immune system and cause mild to extreme exhaustion. The tiredness often increases, so it’s important to get plenty of rest during therapy.

Radiation affects each patient differently. Your oncologist can determine if this type of therapy will work for you and our patient advocate team can help connect you to an experienced specialist.

Author Elizabeth Schubert

Elizabeth works with the advocate team to write about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, aiming to raise awareness. She is committed to supporting families in the mesothelioma community.

ReviewerMuaiad Kittaneh, MD, FACP, MBA

Dr. Muaiad Kittaneh, MD, FACP, MBA, is a medical oncologist and assistant professor at Loyola University of Chicago. His journey in healthcare includes Internal Medicine training at Advocate Christ Medical Center/University of Illinois of Chicago, where he excelled as Chief Resident. Dr. Kittaneh further honed his expertise at the University of Miami.

Dr. Kittaneh has conducted extensive research and assisted in many clinical trials. His notable contributions have been published in journals across the United States, which focus particularly on breast, melanoma, and gastrointestinal cancers. As an expert medical reviewer, Dr. Kittaneh plays a crucial role in shaping and evaluating Mesothelioma Hub’s content, ensuring accuracy and relevance in the field.

Learn More About Muaiad Kittaneh, MD, FACP, MBA

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