Potentially curative surgery may
be an option if your general state of health is good and the tumor has
not advanced and spread beyond the primary location.
However, mesothelioma cells tend to spr...
Potentially curative surgery may
be an option if your general state of health is good and the tumor has
not advanced and spread beyond the primary location.
However, mesothelioma cells tend to spread into the chest wall, around
the heart, over nerves, and the diaphragm. It is often difficult to
detect this spread and remove all these cells. Because of this, doctors
do not often agree on the exact role of surgery. In most cases it is
not likely to cure you but may extend your life. Still, potentially
curative surgery is being done in some major cancer centers, and a few
patients who have had the surgery have had long remissions of their
disease.
Two potentially curative surgical procedures that can be carried out if you have pleural mesothelioma are:
1-Extrapleural pneumonectomy:
This is an extensive operation that attempts to remove all or most of
the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well. It is most often used
in patients with localized mesothelioma of the epithelioid type, when
there is a theoretical chance of a cure. The operation involves the
removal of the pleura lining the chest wall, diaphragm, and
pericardium, as well as the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The
diaphragm and the pericardium are then reconstructed with man-made
materials. This is a difficult operation and is done only by few highly
skilled surgeons in large medical centers. You must be in good overall
health with good lung function and no other serious illnesses to
tolerate this surgery. Major complications occur in about 25% of people
who undergo this operation.
2-Pleurectomy/decortication:
Pleurectomy/decortication is a less extensive operation. This procedure
removes the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. While
it may be used to try to cure some cancers, it is more often used as a
palliative procedure to relieve symptoms in cases where the entire
tumor cannot be removed. It can help control the buildup of fluid,
improve breathing, and decrease pain caused by the cancer.
not advanced and spread beyond the primary location.
However, mesothelioma cells tend to spr...
Potentially curative surgery may
be an option if your general state of health is good and the tumor has
not advanced and spread beyond the primary location.
However, mesothelioma cells tend to spread into the chest wall, around
the heart, over nerves, and the diaphragm. It is often difficult to
detect this spread and remove all these cells. Because of this, doctors
do not often agree on the exact role of surgery. In most cases it is
not likely to cure you but may extend your life. Still, potentially
curative surgery is being done in some major cancer centers, and a few
patients who have had the surgery have had long remissions of their
disease.
Two potentially curative surgical procedures that can be carried out if you have pleural mesothelioma are:
1-Extrapleural pneumonectomy:
This is an extensive operation that attempts to remove all or most of
the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well. It is most often used
in patients with localized mesothelioma of the epithelioid type, when
there is a theoretical chance of a cure. The operation involves the
removal of the pleura lining the chest wall, diaphragm, and
pericardium, as well as the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The
diaphragm and the pericardium are then reconstructed with man-made
materials. This is a difficult operation and is done only by few highly
skilled surgeons in large medical centers. You must be in good overall
health with good lung function and no other serious illnesses to
tolerate this surgery. Major complications occur in about 25% of people
who undergo this operation.
2-Pleurectomy/decortication:
Pleurectomy/decortication is a less extensive operation. This procedure
removes the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. While
it may be used to try to cure some cancers, it is more often used as a
palliative procedure to relieve symptoms in cases where the entire
tumor cannot be removed. It can help control the buildup of fluid,
improve breathing, and decrease pain caused by the cancer.
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