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Treatments for mesothelioma

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Mesothelioma
  5. Treatment

If you have mesothelioma, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for mesothelioma, your healthcare team will consider:

  • where the mesothelioma started
  • the subtype of mesothelioma
  • whether it can be removed by surgery
  • your overall health
  • your personal preferences

Expert review and references

  • Alexander HR Jr., Burk AP . Diagnosis and management of patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2016.
  • American Cancer Society. Malignant mesothelioma. 2016.
  • Deraco M, Elias DM, Glehen O, Helm CW, Sugarbaker PH, Verwaal VJ . Peritoneal metastases and peritoneal mesothelioma. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 115: 1761-1769.
  • Kondola S, Manners D, Nowak AK . Malignant pleural mesothelioma: an update on diagnosis and treatment options. Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease. 2016.
  • National Cancer Institute. Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment for Health Professionals (PDQ®). 2015.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (Version 1.2016).
  • Opitz I . Management of malignant pleural mesothelioma - the European experience. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2014.
  • Pass HI, Carbone M, King LM, Rosenzweig KE . Benign and malignant mesothelioma. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 114: 1738-1760.
  • Raza A, Huan WC, Takabe K . Advances in the management of peritoneal mesothelioma. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014.
  • Shukla A, Shukla A . Current therapies for malignant mesothelioma. Journal of Cancer Science and Therapy. 2014.
  • Stahel RA, Weder W, Lievens Y, Felip E . Malignant pleural mesothelioma: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2010.

Treatments for pleural mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is very difficult to treat. The following are treatment options for the different stages of pleural mesothelioma, which are based on whether the cancer is considered operable (resectable) or not. The types of treatments given are also based on the unique needs of the person with cancer.
Learn more on Treatments for pleural mesothelioma

Treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma

There is no established staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma. The types of treatments given are based on the unique needs of the person with cancer.
Learn more on Treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma

Surgery for mesothelioma

Surgery may be used to treat mesothelioma in certain people. Surgery is generally used along with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery for mesothelioma is very specialized and is usually done by surgeons with experience in this type of cancer.
Learn more on Surgery for mesothelioma

Chemotherapy for mesothelioma

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for mesothelioma. Many people are not diagnosed until their mesothelioma is advanced and cannot be removed with surgery. In these cases, chemotherapy is used to treat the disease and relieve symptoms.
Learn more on Chemotherapy for mesothelioma

Radiation therapy for mesothelioma

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used to treat mesothelioma.
Learn more on Radiation therapy for mesothelioma

Immunotherapy for mesothelioma

Some people with mesothelioma have immunotherapy. Immunotherapy helps to strengthen or restore the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
Learn more on Immunotherapy for mesothelioma

Follow-up after treatment for mesothelioma

Mesothelioma behaves differently in each person, and a standard follow-up schedule would not work for everyone. People with mesothelioma should talk to their doctor about a follow-up plan that suits their individual situation. Follow-up care is often shared among the cancer specialists (oncologists) and family doctor.
Learn more on Follow-up after treatment for mesothelioma