Mesothelioma Treatment Options in Canada
The number of mesothelioma cases in Canada is among the highest in the world. Such high statistics are to be expected, given Canada’s dedication to the mining of chrysotile asbestos and use of the mineral in thousands of different products. Each day in Canada, a new mesothelioma victim is identified and the numbers continue to rise, with approximately 2.1 of every 100,000 Canadians diagnosed with the disease annually, according to experts.
The large number of cases in Canada demands a medical system offering good treatment options for mesothelioma, though some would argue that Canada’s denial of the seriousness of asbestos-related diseases has prevented the country from developing new treatment options or offering superior care. Nonetheless, those affected by mesothelioma in Canada have a number of options when it comes to finding treatment to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life.
As in other countries, Canadians are generally presented with three options for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, or some combination of the three. The choice of treatment options is based on factors such as the stage of the cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the age of the patient. The goal of treatment can be "curative" to remove the cancerous tissue or "palliative" to ease the symptoms of the disease.
For those people in need of more information about treatments and doctors, look at The Mesothelioma Center's Doctor Match Program, which puts patients in touch with top mesothelioma doctors.
Surgery
Mesothelioma is rarely diagnosed in an early stage due to its long latency period, and a curative surgery, or a surgery to remove cancerous tissue, is generally not recommended as an initial treatment. However, thoracic surgeons in some Canadian hospitals are trained to perform lung surgeries to remove all or a portion of the tumor, to reduce uncomfortable symptoms, and to improve quality of life.
Types of surgeries that may be performed on mesothelioma patients include:
- Pneumonectomy (removal of the diseased lung)
- Pleurectomy (removal of the affected pleura)
- Pleurodesis (a procedure that eliminates fluid build-up in the lungs)
Chemotherapy
Health Canada has approved the use of the chemotherapy drug pemetrexed (Alimta) in combination with the chemotherapy agent cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. However, not all Canadian provinces offer the treatment, and it is available through some private insurance plans, federal drug plans, and provincial or territorial drug benefit programs. Provinces and territories in which pemetrexed treatment is currently not covered include Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Prince Edward Island. Other less costly chemotherapy drugs such as raltitrexed are available in its place for use in combination with cisplatin.
Some mesothelioma doctors may also suggest radiation in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, especially if the cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body. Many Canadian cancer centers offer state-of-the-art, precision radiation treatments that can target cancer cells and spare healthy organs and tissue located around the cancer site.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in Canada
The National Cancer Institute of Canada and the U.S. National Cancer Institute often collaborate in clinical trials to test the effectiveness of certain medications in the treatment of a number of diseases, including mesothelioma. A prime example is an ongoing Phase II trial for the drug sunitinib malate, currently being tested for its ability to stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes needed for tumor growth.
A good source to check for open clinical trials is clinicaltrials.gov, a website run by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It is important to speak with a doctor, as some patients may not qualify for certain trials.
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Canada
Canada has a number of regional cancer centers, provincial hospitals and medical facilities dedicated to the treatment of all types of cancer.
Cancer facilities in Canada that may offer treatment for mesothelioma patients include:
- Cross Cancer Institute at University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta)
- Fraser Valley Cancer Centre (Surrey, British Columbia)
- Vancouver Cancer Centre (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Centre for the Southern Interior (Kelowna, British Columbia)
- Cancer Care Manitoba (Manitoba)
- Nova Scotia Cancer Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
- Margaret and Charles Juravinski Cancer Centre (Hamilton, Ontario)
- Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto, Ontario)
- Toronto Western Hospital (Toronto, Ontario)
- Trillium Health Centre (Mississauga, Ontario)
- Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre (Hamilton, Ontario)
- London Regional Cancer Centre (London, Ontario)
- Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre (Ottawa, Ontario)
- McGill University Health Centre (Montreal, Quebec)
- L'Hopital Laval (Quebec)
- Allan Blair Cancer Centre (Regina, Saskatchewan)
Talk to a Patient Advocate
Do you have more questions about mesothelioma, treatments, clinical trials or anything else? Call one of The Mesothelioma Center's Patient Advocates at (800) 615-2270. Or fill out this form to get a free informational packet mailed to you.
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Last Modified Thursday, May 10th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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