Pleural mesothelioma is a very rare and aggressive cancer mainly caused by asbestos exposure. The survival time is very low, with people typically surviving around 9 to 20 months after treatment starts. The overall survival rate is around five percent, which means only five percent of people still live after five years. New treatments are improving this though. A new article from Cancers explains how surgery helps with staging, diagnosing, and treating pleural mesothelioma. Surgery is an important part of diagnosing and staging mesothelioma. During surgery, tissue samples can be taken to help identify its type. Correct staging, which figures out how far the cancer has spread, is important for finding the right treatment. Major health organizations recommend surgery as an essential part of treating pleural mesothelioma.
There are multiple types of surgery for pleural mesothelioma. One type, known as pleurectomy/decortication, removes the lining of the lungs and chest wall. The goal is to take out the most amount of tumor possible while also keeping the lungs working. It is safer and has less risks compared to more radical surgeries. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more radical surgery that removes the affected lung, part of the diaphragm, the lining of the chest, and sometimes a part of the heart’s lining. It can completely remove the tumor but has higher risks and a more rigorous recovery. Extended pleurectomy and decortication is a more thorough version of pleurectomy and decortication, which aims to remove all visible and touchable tumor tissue.
The main goal of surgery is to achieve Macroscopic Complete Resection, which simply means removing all visible tumors. This can help significantly improve survival rates. Combining surgery with treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy can help improve survival by targeting any remaining microscopic disease. Doctors debate whether extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy and decortication is the best available option for mesothelioma patients who could receive either procedure. Surgery also helps identify the specific type of mesothelioma, which is important for planning the correct treatment and understanding the prognosis.
Not all patients are suitable for surgery. Patients must be selected based on stage of their disease, type of mesothelioma, overall health, and lung and heart function. Surgeries need to be performed at specialized centers with experienced teams to minimize risks and improve outcomes. Even when the disease is not curable, surgery can help improve quality of life by relieving symptoms of the disease.
Surgery is an important part of diagnosing, staging, and treating pleural mesothelioma. While new treatments continue to be developed, surgery continues to be a helpful tool for pleural mesothelioma patients. Achieving complete tumor removal through procedures like pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy can help improve survival, especially for specific types of mesothelioma. As research continues to happen, surgery will continue to keep evolving and will enhance quality of life and possibly be part of a cure for the devastating disease mesothelioma.
