Mesothelioma Surgery

Surgical procedures involved in the treatment and diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer disease are divided into three main categories:

1. Mesothelioma Surgery Curative is carried out with the intention of removing as much cancer disease as possible with hopes of curing the patient. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy is often administered following mesothelioma surgery curative.
2. Mesothelioma Surgery Palliative involves the removal of cancerous tissue and is used to provide symptomatic relief, but does not offer a cure. 
3. Mesothelioma Surgery Diagnostic is used to confirm whether or not cancer disease is present and where it is located.
4. A biopsy is a diagnostic surgical procedure in which suspected cancer disease cells are removed and tested to determine whether they are cancerous.
5. Thoracentesis of mesothelioma is used to diagnose patients who have suspected pleural mesothelioma , and may also be used as a palliative surgical treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients who are suffering from the effects of a buildup of fluid in the lungs.
6. Pleurodesis of mesothelioma is a palliative surgical treatment option for those coping with pleural mesothelioma. This procedure is performed in order to prevent a side effect of pleural mesothelioma, called pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma effusion is the buildup of fluid in the lungs, which can cause considerable pain and breathing difficulties.
7. A pneumonectomy of mesothelioma is the removal of one lung. This procedure may be used for patients with pleural mesothelioma and may be a suitable method of treatment for patients who have mesothelioma disease in just one of their lungs.
8. Thoracotomy of mesothelioma is a generic term that refers to lung surgery that may be performed on patients with pleural mesothelioma. There are three main types of thoracotomy procedures: wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy.
9. Thoracoscopy of mesothelioma is a procedure that may be used as a diagnostic measure for patients suspected of having pleural mesothelioma or another lung disease.