Chemotherapy for mestothelioma
Chemotherapy for mesothelioma uses special anti-cancer medicines and chemicals to try to kill malignant cells. Often, chemotherapy is used as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery and/or in along with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. Many drugs have been tried; so far, however, all have met with only limited success against malignant mesothelioma.
Surgery for mesothelioma
There are two main types of surgical treatment for pleural mesothelioma: extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication. EPP involves the removal of the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung involved with the tumor. Pleurectomy/decortication involves the removal of the pleura without removing the entire lung.
Radiation therapy
Radiation treatment is another option for treating mesothelioma. It involves the localized use of high-dose radiation (like x-rays) on malignant tumors. Usually, it is not a primary treatment but is used in conjunction with other therapies such as surgical resection and chemotherapy. It is generally used to reduce the size of the symptomatic tumor and help relieve symptoms like pain and shortness of breath. The appropriateness of radiation therapy depends on factors such as the volume of the tumor and how near it is to vital organs.