How Doctors Manage and Fight This Aggressive Lung Cancer
Pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, but there are multiple treatment options that can relieve symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve survival. The right treatment plan depends on your stage at diagnosis, overall health, and mesothelioma cell type.
This guide explains the most common treatment approaches for pleural mesothelioma and how a personalized plan can help improve both quality and length of life.
Understanding Your Treatment Goals
Pleural mesothelioma is often treated using a multimodal approach, meaning several therapies are combined to achieve better outcomes. These may include:
Surgery to remove tumors
Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells
Radiation therapy to reduce symptoms
Immunotherapy or clinical trials for newer options
Palliative care to improve comfort
Main Treatment Options for Pleural Mesothelioma
đź©ş 1. Surgery
Surgery may be an option for patients diagnosed at an early stage, when the cancer is still confined to one side of the chest. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
Common Surgical Procedures:
Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D): Removes the diseased pleura but spares the lung. Often used to relieve symptoms and slow progression.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP): Removes the lung, pleura, part of the diaphragm, and pericardium. A more aggressive option, typically reserved for select early-stage cases.
Learn more about Surgery for Pleural Mesothelioma →
đź’‰ 2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often used alongside surgery or as a primary treatment when surgery isn’t an option.
Most Common Regimen:
Pemetrexed (Alimta) combined with cisplatin
This combination has been shown to slow tumor growth and extend life for many mesothelioma patients.
What to Expect:
Administered in cycles, typically through an IV. Side effects vary but often include fatigue, nausea, and hair thinning.
Learn more about Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma →
🔬 3. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer option that helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.
Approved Treatments:
Opdivo (nivolumab) + Yervoy (ipilimumab)
This FDA-approved combo can improve survival, especially for patients with non-epithelioid cell types or advanced-stage disease.
Immunotherapy is often used when surgery isn’t possible, or as part of a clinical trial.
🌟 4. Radiation Therapy
Radiation uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. It may be used:
After surgery to kill remaining cancer cells
To shrink tumors pressing on nerves or organs
To reduce pain or ease breathing
Note: Radiation is typically used on one side of the chest to avoid damaging healthy lung tissue.
🧪 5. Clinical Trials and Emerging Therapies
New therapies are constantly being developed to improve mesothelioma treatment. These include:
Targeted therapies that attack cancer cells with specific mutations
Gene therapy to disrupt cancer cell growth
Mesothelioma vaccines in early-stage trials
Participating in a clinical trial gives you access to promising treatments not widely available.
Explore Current Clinical Trials for Pleural Mesothelioma →
❤️ 6. Palliative Care
Even if surgery isn’t an option, palliative treatment can make a meaningful difference in daily life.
Palliative Options Include:
Thoracentesis or pleurodesis to drain pleural fluid and relieve breathlessness
Pain management using medications or nerve blocks
Nutritional support and pulmonary rehab
Palliative care is not “giving up”—it’s about living better, longer.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mesothelioma care. The best outcomes come from a team of specialists—including thoracic surgeons, oncologists, pulmonologists, and palliative care providers—working together to design a treatment plan based on:
Your stage at diagnosis
Your cell type (e.g., epithelioid, biphasic, sarcomatoid)
Your health and treatment preferences
Need Help Finding the Right Care?
We’ve helped thousands of patients connect with the nation’s top mesothelioma doctors, treatment centers, and clinical trials. We can also assist with travel costs, second opinions, and legal options to help cover your care.
đź“ž Call 833-4-ASBESTOS
Or schedule a free consultation today.