The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Mesothelioma Liver

Although in rare cases mesothelioma has exhibited as a primary tumor in the liver, peritoneal mesothelioma can occasionally spread to the liver. The single largest danger to a patient’s liver as it relates to mesothelioma is chemotherapy. Most people during the chemotherapy process are worried about treatment and don’t stop to think about the possible long term side effects of treatments. Although removal and full treatment of mesothelioma tumors is integral to long term survival, excessive damage to the liver during the chemotherapy process usually results in yet another grim prognosis, one that has nothing to do with cancer.

The threat to the liver can be managed by consulting with a doctor about possible augmentation of a treatment schedule when liver damage becomes an issue. Many new treatments for mesothelioma are aimed at reducing possible damage to the liver during chemotherapy. As new treatments begin to become more effective and long term survival rates improve, worrying about long term side effects of treatment becomes increasingly important. Mesothelioma treatments have been researched and altered to the point where a select few are promising better results than could have been expected. With possible long-term survival percentages at over 50%, doctors must focus on reducing associated side effects.

During chemotherapy the liver sustains damage as the body naturally tries to filter the chemotherapy toxins out of the system. As the body does this, the chemicals affect the liver in the same way they are expected to affect a cancer cell. This constant damage of cells can lead to loss of function through irreparable damage. Aggressively treating mesothelioma with chemotherapy is necessary to ensure survival; however, the effect on the liver must be monitored and regimens should be adjusted as necessary in an attempt to preserve liver function.