Pleural mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure, is challenging to treat. For patients healthy enough, surgery is a key part of treatment, but after surgery, complications can occur. One complication that can happen is known as pleural empyema, a serious chest infection. Developing this complication can affect patient recovery. A recent study looked at the factors that could increase the risk of empyema.
The study occurred at the University Hospital of Zurich. There were 400 patients in the study. They had surgery for pleural mesothelioma between September 1999 and February 2023. Of the 400 patients that received surgery, 12.5 percent developed postoperative empyema. Patients who received extrapleural pneumonectomy had a much higher risk of getting pleural empyema after surgery compared to other surgical procedures.
There is a large impact from postoperative empyema on patient outcomes. It raises death and sickness rates as well as decreases survival. Patients who got empyema had a much shorter survival compared to those who did not. The findings stress the need to carefully select what surgery is performed on pleural mesothelioma patients. Recommended options are pleurectomy and decortication or the more extensive extended pleurectomy decortication. These are better than extrapleural pneumonectomy. The study also highlights the risks from extra radiotherapy. It links this treatment to post-surgery pleural empyema.
Postoperative pleural empyema is a major issue when treating pleural mesothelioma. This is unfortunately true despite advances in surgery and advances in disease management. More research is needed on risk factors and how to assess surgery risks. By spotting changes in clinical and preoperative factors, treatment can be improved, which can improve treatment outcomes. Surgery is a key part of mesothelioma treatment. The risk of complications like postoperative empyema must be considered carefully. Healthcare providers can better care for their patients. They can do this by addressing risk factors and using proven treatments.
Surgery is an important part of pleural mesothelioma treatment. Without surgery, patients simply do not live as long as those who receive surgery. Patients need to be in overall good health though to receive surgery or else there could be catastrophic consequences. One consequence could be postoperative empyema. Doctors need to be careful to avoid complications so patients can live a good quality of life after surgery. If they are not careful, patients’ lives could be shortened and their quality of life could be reduced.
