In medical terminology, remission indicates the state of cancer when the symptoms start disappearing. At times usage of intensive therapy like chemotherapy or radiotherapy can lead to complete disappearance of the symptoms. However, cancer can and does recur suddenly without any specific reason. However, in mesothelioma remission is not very common.

Reasons for Remission of Mesothelioma

In some cases, mesothelioma patients manage to live for long periods of time by undergoing various treatments. This results in the symptoms reducing, and at times disappearing for an extended period of time. However, there is no surety that the cancer will not return at a later stage. Though there are statistics available on the number of cases where mesothelioma remission has occurred due to early diagnosis and effective treatment, there are no figures available on its recurrence.

Factors That Could Lead to Mesothelioma Remission

There are various factors for remission, these include:

• Early detection of mesothelioma – like all forms of cancer, if mesothelioma is detected at an early stage, it can be effectively removed through surgery. When there is presence of malignant cells in the body, protein `markers’ can be found in the body. However, in case of mesothelioma, symptoms are not found till an advanced stage. Early mesothelioma diagnosis can help patients respond effectively to the treatment and have better remission.
• Chemotherapy and radiation can also be very effective as it burns away the cancerous cells and can help in arresting the recurrence of cancer. However, this again is more effective if done in at an early stage when mesothelioma would not have spread to other organs.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is a form of radiation therapy used after surgically removing the tumor. Together, these two form a course of treatment called “adjuvant radiation therapy” and have been effective in increasing remission of mesothelioma.

Apart from these factors, various forms of alternative therapies have been quite effective in remission. These can be in the form of diet, oxygen therapy and the use of techniques associated with traditional Chinese medicine. In-take of vitamin supplements and a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods have also helped patients. Oxygenation therapy is used as researches have indicated that cancer cells multiply faster in an anaerobic (oxygen-starved) environment. Moreover, wellness management and meditation also seems to help patients in remission of cancer.

Though alternative therapies have been successful to a certain extent, traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation have also helped patients immensely. There have been cases where mesothelioma patients have experienced remission after treatment. New methods of diagnosis are also being devised by doctors and experts in the field which can help in early detection and can lead to better treatment resulting in effective remission. However, patients need to go in for regular check-ups and tests to ensure recurrence of mesothelioma cancer does not take place.