Surgical Treatments for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a serious and rare form of cancer that can attack the lining of the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Once a patient is diagnosed with this disease, one of the standard forms of diagnosis and treatment is surgery. While surgery is not recommended for all mesothelioma patients, especially for those in poor health or at advanced stages of the disease, it can provide significant relief from symptoms and potentially lead to longer term survival. Generally, there are three types of surgery, including diagnostic surgery, curative surgery, and palliative (pain relief) surgery, each of which a doctor may or may not pursue depending upon one’s specific case.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we want to help. Contact Stern Law, PLLC to learn more about your legal options during your free and completely confidential consultation. When you meet with one of our seasoned and compassionate asbestos exposure attorneys, he or she will take the time you need to discuss your legal rights and how you may be entitled to significant compensation. Call us now at (844) 808-7529 to learn more about how we can make a difference for you.
Diagnostic Surgery
When a person is suspected of having mesothelioma, a doctor may order a biopsy, which is the removal of a piece of tissue in the affected area for further testing. This procedure is typically the most reliable in determining whether a person has mesothelioma.
Curative and Palliative Surgeries
There are several curative and palliative surgical options, each of which depends upon where the mesothelioma is located, are described as follows:
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, also known as the pleura. There are several surgical options for those with pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common form of mesothelioma. These are as follows:
Curative surgery
- Pleurectomy– this type of treatment involves removing the pleura of the lungs. Typically, a surgeon will remove several layers of the pleura, and if the disease has spread, he or she may remove some of the lung tissue beneath the pleura and other affected areas, such as the lymph nodes.
- Pneumonectomy – this surgical treatment involves the removal of an entire affected lung.
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy – in rarer cases, a surgeon may remove areas surrounding the lungs, including the lining of the heart, abdomen, and all or part of the diaphragm.
Palliative surgery
- Pleurodesis – if fluid buildup occurs as a result of the disease, this form of surgery is performed by inserting talc into the pleural space and stopping the collection of fluid therein.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen, is less common than pleural however, there are still certain types of surgical options that either treat the cancer or manage its symptoms. These types of surgeries are as follows:
Curative surgery
- Peritonectomy – this surgical option removes the lining of the cancerous tissue in the abdomen. Studies demonstrate that this type of surgery has the highest rate of success of all forms of mesothelioma surgery.
- Cytoreduction/Debulking – there are many organs contained within the abdomen, which makes the spreading, or metastasis, of the disease highly likely. This type of surgery is performed to remove all visible forms of tumors, and is often combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic peritoneal chemotherapy), a form of chemotherapy “wash” that kills abdominal cancer cells.
Palliative surgery
- Paracentesis – this type of surgery involves the removal of fluid within the abdominal cavity, and is performed mainly to relieve symptoms.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the heart. As one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, this disease often goes undetected until after the patient has died. If detected, however, there are a few surgical treatment options that are available, such as:
Curative surgery
- Pericardiectomy – in this type of surgery, the pericardium, or lining of the heart, is removed. Typically, the lining is replaced with Gore-Tex so that the heart can continue to function.
Palliative surgery
- Pericardiocentesis (palliative) – this surgery is performed to remove fluid buildup in the heart cavity, which can affect the heart’s function as well as blood pressure.
Were You Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Contact Stern Law, PLLC Today
At Stern Law, PLLC, we understand the difficulty and pain associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis, and as such, we want to help. When you meet with one of our compassionate attorneys, he or she will take the time you need to review your case, determine the sources of your exposure, and develop a plan of action to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 to schedule your free consultation with one of our seasoned mesothelioma attorneys.
