Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Surgery: What to Know Before Treatment

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Mesothelioma Surgery: What to Know Before Treatment

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Mesothelioma surgery is an option for a tiny percentage of patients. This article will examine the advantages and disadvantages of mesothelioma surgery, as well as what you need to know before deciding whether to undergo this sort of surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you may be interested in surgical treatment alternatives if chemotherapy or radiation treatments are not feasible or do not provide sufficient advantages.

By eliminating the tumor, surgery is a surgical therapy option for persons with localized pleural mesothelioma that may increase life expectancy and quality. There are two types of mesothelioma surgeries: resection surgery and VATS surgery.

Despite the fact that both surgical treatments contain dangers, one may offer advantages over the other. Your physician can help you determine which procedure is ideal for your specific condition.


If you’ve recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be curious about your treatment choices. Surgery is one of the most often utilized treatments for this form of cancer. However, not everyone is a good candidate for surgery; it will depend on the specifics of your case.

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If you’re considering surgery to treat your mesothelioma, you should know if it’s a good option for your particular instance and which sorts of surgery would be the most beneficial. Here is some useful information regarding the benefits of mesothelioma surgery.

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What is Mesothelioma Surgery for mesothelioma?

During surgery for mesothelioma, a malignant tumor from the pleura or lung lining is removed. If the tumor cannot be removed surgically, the surgeon can perform a biopsy to take a sample for testing. A biopsy is performed when the surgeon removes a small piece of the tumor for analysis.

Typically, surgery is used to treat mesothelioma after the disease has spread to the lung lining. Due to the position of the tumor, surgical removal is not always possible. Additionally, surgery is not an option if the tumor has migrated to other organs, including the abdominal cavity, abdomen, or spine.

Resection operation

The pleura and a little bit of tissue from the lung where the mesothelioma is found are removed during resection surgery. This operation is performed to remove the cancer-causing lesion.

The most common procedure for pleural mesothelioma is resection, which is typically performed without accessing the chest wall. This surgical procedure is the most effective treatment for localized pleural mesothelioma.

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Two incisions are made in the chest wall in order to remove the tumor and a small amount of the pleura. The pleura is the lung’s lining. The lung is next sealed, followed by the closure of the chest wall.

VATS method

VATS is the abbreviation for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery. This minimally invasive method employs a small incision and a camera introduced via the incision to visualize the sick tissue’s structure and course. It is often used for diagnostic purposes and does not remove any tissue.

VATS is the most common procedure performed on patients with malignant pleural effusion and pleural thickening. A surgeon can also use it to detect the border between diseased and healthy tissue in order to plan a resection procedure. V

ATS is frequently performed in conjunction with decortication, the removal of the pleura surrounding the tumor. The pleura is the lung’s lining. Decortication enables the surgeon to assess the size of the tumor and ensure that it has been entirely excised. Additionally, it facilitates lung closure after surgery.

VATS including Decortication

To treat advanced pleural mesothelioma, a VATS with decortication is employed. This form of surgery involves the removal of the pleura and lung lining surrounding the entire lung.

Following the removal of the diseased tissue, the surgeon may also remove some healthy tissue from the chest wall. Occasionally, a pleural peel is also employed. A pleural peel involves the removal of pleural tissue.

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Following surgery, the surgeon will also shut off the lung and chest wall. Typically, a single big incision is made in the chest wall so that the surgeon can see the entire area during a VATS with decortication procedure.

What to consider prior to selecting surgery for mesothelioma

Before choosing on surgery, you should be aware of the risks and benefits associated with each procedure.

There is a chance of infection, but it is modest in individuals who are otherwise healthy. Antibiotics can be used to treat infections.

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Bleeding is possible, but the danger is modest. If a major incision is made to remove a tumor, there may be long-term difficulties with blood supply to the heart. Aspirin or other blood-thinning medications may be required.

After surgery, the likelihood of developing pleurodynia is low. If the tumor is too close to vital organs such as the heart, resection surgery may not be possible.

The danger of infection is low, but it can be treated with antibiotics if it occurs.

Bleeding is a potential complication that can be managed with blood-thinning medicines.

There is a little possibility of pleurodynia. If the tumor is too close to important organs like the heart, VATS is not an option.

Infection is a danger, although antibiotics can be used to treat it.

Bleeding is a potential complication that can be managed with blood-thinning medicines.

There is a little possibility of pleurodynia.

Major problems, including death, are possible. During surgery, if the surgeon unintentionally cuts or punctures the heart or other critical organs, it can be fatal. If the tumor is too close to important organs, such as the heart, VATS with decortication is not a possibility.

Limitations of surgery for the treatment of mesothelioma

Although surgery can provide short-term benefits, there is a chance that the cancer will return following treatment. If the cancer has progressed to other areas of the body, such as the abdominal cavity, the spine, or the internal organs, surgery may be less effective. Due to the possibility of the cancer returning after surgery, you may require additional treatment, such as radiation therapy.

Last words

If you have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you may be interested in surgical treatment alternatives if chemotherapy or radiation treatments are not feasible or do not provide sufficient advantages.

By eliminating the tumor, surgery is a surgical therapy option for persons with localized pleural mesothelioma that may increase life expectancy and quality. Maintain an open line of communication with your doctor on your expectations, treatment, and recovery once you’ve determined that surgery is the best course of action.

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