Pleura Cancer Treatment in India

Robert Das, a 68-year-old retired shipyard...

Robert Das, a 68-year-old retired shipyard welder, had spent decades working with asbestos-containing materials. A lifelong non-smoker, he began experiencing a persistent, dry cough and a dull ache in his right side that he initially attributed to old age. When he started feeling short of breath just walking to his mailbox, his wife insisted he see a doctor. A chest X-ray revealed a pleural effusion, and a subsequent biopsy confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma. His oncologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a multimodal approach starting with a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery to remove the visible tumor lining his lung, followed by chemotherapy. Robert was terrified, having lost a brother to lung cancer. The surgery was major, and recovery in the hospital was painful and exhausting. However, with intense physiotherapy and the support of a mesothelioma patient group, he gradually regained his strength. While not curative, the procedure successfully controlled his pleural effusion and pain, giving him precious, relatively symptom-free time with his grandchildren. His emotional journey moved from anger and fear about his occupational exposure to a determined focus on making the most of each day, finding solace in advocacy and family.