Treatment of mesothelioma Treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma, the stage (extent) of disease and the person’s preference. Options may include: pleurectomy – surgery to remove the affected tissue. The affected lung may also be removed in whole (pneumonectomy) or in part (lobectomy). Usually, only small tumours are treated with surgery. A person’s life span may be prolonged for a few months or years phototherapy – a procedure sometimes used during pleurectomy. Stray cancer cells within the chest are highlighted with a special dye and killed by laser thoracentesis – a procedure that removes fluid from the pleural cavity through a needle inserted between the ribs pleurodesis – a special powder is inserted between the pleural layers to cause inflammation and stop production of excess fluid. This is performed using a slender instrument (endoscope) inserted into the chest paracentesis – a procedure in which a thin needle or tube is put into the abdomen to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity (the space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach and the liver) peritoneal surgery – surgery to remove tumours in the abdominal cavity. Bowel symptoms can often improve following this procedure chemotherapy – the use of cancer-killing drugs that can shrink the cancer and ease symptoms. Chemotherapy is often recommended if the cancer has returned following other treatment, or if other treatments are inappropriate radiotherapy – x-ray treatment to kill cancer cells. Only small areas can be treated or else the healthy cells of the lungs, heart and liver may be damaged. Radiotherapy is often used to ease pain and breathlessness complementary and alternative therapies – when used alongside your conventional cancer treatment, some of these therapies can make you feel better and improve quality of life. Others may not be so helpful and in some cases may be harmful. The Cancer Council Victoria booklet called Understanding complementary therapies can be a useful resource. All treatments can cause side effects. Many of these are only temporary, but some may be permanent. Your medical team will discuss these with you before you begin treatment.