How do doctors treat mesothelioma?

Advances in medicine and surgical procedures have revolutionized cancer treatments. For patients with mesothelioma, there is a range of available treatments that can prolong life and reduce symptoms.
The goal is to find the treatment that is best for you, which requires the assistance of a knowledgeable and experienced doctor. This guide explains some possible treatments and when medical staff typically recommend them.
Surgery
When a doctor says that a cancer is resectable, they mean that it is treatable via surgery. Surgery is often recommended for early-stage cancers before cancerous cells have spread to other areas of the body. However, doctors will also consider the type of cancerous tissues and where they are within the body before making a surgical recommendation.
There are two types of surgeries used to treat mesothelioma, which are extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication. While extrapleural pneumonectomy is very effective, it is also associated with a higher risk of complications. As a result, doctors must ensure that a patient is healthy enough to undergo this treatment.
Chemotherapy and other therapies
When doctors determine that a cancer is not resectable, chemotherapy is likely the next best option. Late-stage cancers are typically considered non-resectable, but even cancer in its earlier stages may require alternate treatments. In this case, chemotherapy targets cancerous cells to reduce them.
Other drug therapies can also play a crucial role in treatment. For example, some drugs limit the blood supply to tumors by reducing the formation of blood vessels. Doctors can also provide therapies that boost immune function to target and destroy cancerous cells in the body.
Your medical team will work closely with you to determine the best possible treatment strategy. They can also recommend treatments aimed at relieving symptoms and making patients feel more comfortable, such as palliative care.