Not everyone diagnosed with mesothelioma is a surgical candidate. Some patients opt not to have surgery and some do not fit the criteria for Different surgeries can be offered to mesothelioma patients at various stages of their journey.
Surgery is done in combination with other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and radiation. Surgery is performed after a rigorous workup to determine what stage the disease is in and if surgery would be beneficial before undergoing chemotherapy, or after undergoing chemotherapy.
Pleurodesis is a surgical procedure that uses chemicals or drugs to make a scar in the space between the layers of the pleura. Fluid is first drained from the space using a catheter or a chest tube, and the chemical or drug put into the space. The scarring stops the build up of fluid in the pleural cavity.
Biopsy of C-Med a small incision is made and a lighted instrument is inserted through the cut and tissue samples are taken of the lymph nodes around the airways. The procedure is done to look at and then biopsy lymph nodes or any other abnormal growths in the front part of the mediastinum, near the chest wall.
Pleurectomy and Decortication a surgery to remove part of the covering of the lung and the lining of the chest and part of the outside surface of the lung.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy, during this operation the whole lung is removed, part of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and the lining of the sac around the heart.
Not everyone diagnosed with mesothelioma is a surgical candidate. Some patients opt not to the surgery.