Procedure
Radiotherapy can also be used if the mesothelioma has already spread: radiotherapy can then prevent or alleviate symptoms caused by metastases, e.g. in the liver or bones(palliative radiotherapy).
Radiation therapy is performed as an outpatient treatment, is non-invasive (i.e. does not require anesthesia) and can thus be easily integrated into everyday private and professional life. Depending on the extent of the tumor, radiotherapy can be carried out in one or a few treatment sessions as radiosurgery for small tumor foci, or as fractionated treatment over several weeks for larger tumors. Close and personal support is a matter of course for us.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ uses only the most modern techniques for the precise and low side-effect irradiation of mesothelioma. They are supervised by internationally recognized experts in the research and treatment of mesothelioma.
For many patients, we are already offering the treatment of tomorrow: in clinical trials, we are continuously working on improving the treatment of mesothelioma to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
In the following, we will describe radiotherapy for the different types and stages of mesothelioma.
Local therapy of mesothelioma
In the case of mesothelioma, surgical removal of the tumor is the treatment of first choice in fit patients. Radiotherapy may also be recommended before or after the operation to prevent the tumor from recurring. Radiotherapy can also be used to improve local control and prevent or improve symptoms if the tumor recurs.
The therapy is often carried out fractionally over about 5-15 treatment sessions per working day over a period of about 3 weeks. Spreading the radiation treatment over several weeks improves the tolerability of the treatment, which is mainly carried out on an outpatient basis and can be easily integrated into the patient’s private and professional life.
State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and MTRAs contribute to treatment of optimum quality and safety.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of mesothelioma to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
Metastases of mesothelioma, e.g. in the liver, adrenal gland and bones
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that often forms metastases during the course of the disease: this is called metastasis. Common sites of metastasis are the lung, liver, adrenal gland or bones. Radiotherapy is a highly effective method with few side effects to prevent or treat symptoms caused by metastases. This is usually done in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other targeted therapy. The smaller the metastases are and the earlier they are irradiated, the better the results. Today, metastases in the body can be treated in a focused manner in just a few effective radiation sessions.
For tumor foci in the abdominal area, e.g. liver or upper abdomen, we carry out body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) on our MRI hybrid accelerator. State-of-the-art radiation technology is combined with MRI images. The radiation is thus carried out under MRI monitoring of the tumor, so that the highest precision is combined with the best imaging. Our clinic was the first in Switzerland to introduce this technology back in 2019. We are still the only clinic in German-speaking Switzerland to offer the highest level of expertise in this field.
Today, brain metastases are treated at our center in most patients by means of a single high-dose radiation treatment: this is called radiosurgery.
Metastases at other locations in the body can now also be treated in a focused manner in just a few effective radiation sessions.
State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and MTRAs contribute to treatment of optimum quality and safety. At the same time, we work closely with our colleagues in medical oncology to guarantee “one-stop” treatment. We also consult with our colleagues in palliative medicine at an early stage.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of mesothelioma to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
