What are the surgical options for treating mesothelioma?
Thoracoscopy with pleurodesis- a procedure using a thoracoscope to look inside the chest cavity. During this procedure, a pleurodesis may be performed to help alleviate chest pain and shortness of breath due to pleural effusion. Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) – a lung-sparing surgery which involves the removal of the membrane lining the thoracic wall and decortication of the membrane lining the lung. Part of the diaphragm and/or the pericardium may also be removed, depending on the extent of the tumor. Extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) – a surgery which removes one lung and part of the membrane lining the thoracic wall. It also removes the diaphragm and the pericardium.
