Mesothelioma Therapy Palliative Care and Pain Management

Question 1

What is the primary goal of palliative care in mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Improving quality of life and managing symptoms

Answer

Curative treatment

Answer

Eliminating cancer cells

Answer

Replacing all active treatments

Question 2

Which symptom is most commonly managed by palliative care in mesothelioma patients?

Accepted Answer

Dyspnea and chest pain

Answer

Hair loss

Answer

Nausea from chemotherapy only

Answer

Constipation

Question 3

Thoracentesis is performed as a palliative procedure in mesothelioma to treat which condition?

Accepted Answer

Pleural effusion causing dyspnea

Answer

Chest wall pain

Answer

Pneumothorax

Answer

Pericardial effusion

Question 4

An indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is used in mesothelioma patients to:

Accepted Answer

Allow repeated outpatient drainage of recurrent pleural effusion

Answer

Deliver chemotherapy into the pleural space

Answer

Monitor pleural pressure

Answer

Perform radiation therapy

Question 5

According to the WHO pain ladder, which drug class is appropriate for severe cancer pain unresponsive to non-opioids?

Accepted Answer

Strong opioids (morphine, oxycodone)

Answer

NSAIDs

Answer

Weak opioids (codeine)

Answer

Anticonvulsants alone

Question 6

Which adjuvant analgesic class is particularly useful for neuropathic pain in mesothelioma chest wall invasion?

Accepted Answer

Gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin)

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Proton pump inhibitors

Answer

Antihistamines