Benefits and disadvantages of treatment
09.01.08 (3:03 am) [edit]
Many people are frightened at the idea of having cancer treatments, particularly because of the side effects that can occur. Some people ask what would happen if they did not have any treatment.
Although cancer treatments can cause side effects, these can usually be controlled with medicines.
Treatment can be given for different reasons and the potential benefits will vary depending upon the individual situation. For the few people with early-stage mesothelioma, surgery and radiotherapy may be given with the aim of curing the cancer.
However, in most people with mesothelioma, the cancer is at a more advanced stage and any treatment given is with the aim of controlling it, which for some people may lead to an improvement in symptoms and a better quality of life. But, for some people in this situation the treatment will have no effect upon the cancer and they will get the side effects of the treatment without any of the benefit.
When a cure is not possible and the aim of treatment is to control the cancer for a period of time, it may be difficult to decide whether to go ahead with treatment. Making decisions in these circumstances is always hard, and you may need to discuss your treatment and symptom control in detail with your doctor.