If you being diagnosed with mesothelioma, different types of surgeries may be carried out to help out in different ways.

There are various procedures that you may have to undergo, which could be grouped into three.

They include

• Diagnostic surgical procedures
• Palliative surgical procedures
• Curative surgical procedures.

SURGICAL DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Diagnostic procedures are basically the steps taken after an individual is suspected of having mesothelioma and fluid buildup, or what could be a tumor is discovered to be growing in either the inner or outer lining of the lungs.

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At this stage, a common procedure termed thoracoscopy is introduced. Thoracoscopy is a medical procedure that involves an internal examination of the pleural and thoracic cavity. It could be performed under sedation with anesthesia. This is usually done to numb the pain.

While in the diagnostic stage, Video-assisted thoracic surgery is also an option. A small camera is inserted into the chest so the pathologist can see what is happening and also get a tissue sample.

PALLIATIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Fluid buildup in the mesothelial linings can cause painful pressure, breathing difficulties, and pain. Although palliative surgery doesn’t actually stop the progression of the disease, doctors use it to relieve pain caused by tumor growth.

This surgery especially targets the removal of the excess buildup of fluid in the lining of the

1. Lungs(thoracentesis)
2. Abdomen (paracentesis)
3. Heart[Indwelling pleural catheter(I.P.C)].

*Thoracentesis: This is a removal of excess fluid in the lung affected by tumor growth. Doctors use a needle to perform this procedure.

*Paracentesis: This is the elimination of excess liquor in the lining of the abdomen. Like the thoracentesis, doctors eliminate too much fluid with a syringe.

* Permanent pleural catheter (CPI) – CPI is a palliative treatment for patients with frequent recurrent pleural effusions. The doctor makes a small incision on the chest and inserts a catheter into the mucous membrane of the lungs. This process causes patients to empty excess fluid in their own homes.

Doctors use palliative surgery for their patients with all stages of mesothelioma. However, it is more applicable to the final stages of mesothelioma.

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CURATIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES

If you are diagnosed in the early–stage mesothelioma, you may be fit for curative surgery that can extend your life expectancy. Curative procedures, though not 100% effective, seeks to eliminate the entire tumor and hopefully cure the disease without using chemotherapy or radiation. If the tumor can’t be removed, sometimes the entire organ or part of it may have to be surgically removed.

This could be termed pneumonectomy, pericardiectomy, or cytoreduction depending on which organ the surgery is is performed on.