Treatment for mesothelioma

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment options for pleural mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Your treatment plan depends on several factors including the stage of your cancer.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is often diagnosed when it is quite advanced. Unfortunately it can be difficult to treat. Treatment options include chemotherapy and a few people might have surgery.

Surgery isn't a common treatment for mesothelioma. You might have surgery to control and relieve symptoms. The surgery might also help you live longer.

You might have radiotherapy for pleural mesothelioma after surgery or to control symptoms. You don't usually have it for peritoneal mesothelioma as it causes too many side effects.

Immunotherapy uses our immune system to fight cancer. It's a treatment for some people with pleural mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can help shrink or control mesothelioma. It is a treatment for both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

You might have a build up of fluid around the lung which can cause breathlessness. Pleurodesis is a treatment for this.

You have regular check up appointments after treatment for mesothelioma. This is called follow up.