Localized Malignant Mesothelioma (Stage I)

If the cancer is only in one place in the chest or abdomen, treatment will probably be surgery to remove part of the pleura and some of the tissue around it.

If the cancer is found in a larger part of the pleura, treatment may be one of the following:

1. Surgery to remove the pleura and the tissue near it to relieve symptoms, with or without radiation therapy after surgery.
2. Surgery to remove sections of the pleura, the lung, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart.
3. External beam radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
4. A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy given inside the chest.
5. A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma (Stages II, III, and IV)

Treatment may be one of the following:

1. Draining of fluid in the chest or abdomen (thoracentesis or paracentesis) to reduce discomfort. Drugs also may be put into the chest or abdomen to prevent further collection of fluid.
2. Surgery to relieve symptoms.
3. Radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
4. Chemotherapy.
5. A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
6. Chemotherapy given in the chest or abdomen.

Recurrent Malignant Mesothelioma

Treatment depends on many factors, including where the cancer came back and what treatment the patient received before. Clinical trials are testing new treatments.