There are several different treatment options for mesothelioma. Unfortunately most people are not diagnosed with mesothelioma until the disease has progressed to rather advanced stages; therefore curative surgical treatments are not available to most patients. Most surgical procedures associated with mesothelioma are palliative in nature, meaning done to improve a patient’s quality of life. However as science and medicine continue to advance it is possible that near future new surgical techniques may offer additional benefits.

Several different surgical procedures may be recommended for mesothelioma patients depending on the particulars of their individual case. Procedures may range from the relatively common draining of fluid from affected areas to lung transplant surgery.

Some surgical procedures that maybe recommended for mesothelioma are:

• Thoracentesis- the most common surgical procedure performed on mesothelioma patients involves the removal of fluid from the affected tissue around the affected areas of the body. The removal of this fluid reduces stiffness and provides the recipient temporary relief from some of the more painful and debilitating symptoms of the disease. Thoracentesis is most often preformed on an outpatient basis and may be repeated several times throughout treatment. Thoracentesis is most often conducted to remove fluid from around the lungs but may also be performed on the abdomen or the tissue surrounding the heart in patients suffering from peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma.

• Pleurodesis- involves the injection of talc or other chemicals into the affected area to prevent future accumulation of fluid. This procedure has been shown to be highly effective in providing at least temporary relief for 9 out of every 10 mesothelioma patients who have the procedure.

• Pleurectomy- is a highly invasive procedure that involves the removal of the pleura or lining of the lungs. This procedure can be used to remove a tumor and provide substantial temporary relief from many of the symptoms associated with mesothelioma, but will not offer a patient a cure.

• Extrapleural  Pneumonectomy- is a the most dangerous and invasive surgical procedure for mesothelioma patients. This procedure involves the removal of the pleura or lining of the lungs, the diaphragm, the pericardium tissue surrounding the heart, and the entire lung on the affected side of the body. Due to the high degree of difficulty and high risk of complications only patients that are in good overall health and have the some hopes of the procedure providing a cure are considered as candidates.