Mesothelioma treatment has advanced meaningfully over the past decade. The right approach depends on the type of mesothelioma, its cell type, its stage, and the patient’s overall health — and the strongest outcomes generally come from care at an experienced mesothelioma specialty center that treats the disease regularly.
The Main Treatment Options
Surgery
For eligible patients — usually those with earlier-stage, epithelioid disease and good lung function — surgery aims to remove as much tumor as possible. For pleural mesothelioma, the two main operations are pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), which strips the tumor and lining while sparing the lung, and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a more extensive operation that removes the lung. For peritoneal mesothelioma, cytoreductive surgery combined with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) has improved outcomes for selected patients.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy — historically a platinum drug (cisplatin or carboplatin) combined with pemetrexed — remains a core treatment, used on its own or alongside surgery.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy (checkpoint-inhibitor combinations) has become an important option and, for some patients, is now used as a first-line treatment. It works by helping the immune system attack the cancer and has extended survival for many patients.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is used to target specific areas, relieve symptoms such as pain, and, in some programs, as part of a combined plan.
Multimodal therapy
Because no single treatment cures mesothelioma, specialists often combine surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation in a multimodal plan tailored to the individual.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials continue to test new drugs, immunotherapy combinations, and surgical approaches. For many patients, a trial offers access to promising treatments not yet widely available. A specialty center can help identify trials a patient may qualify for.
Palliative & Supportive Care
Treatments that control symptoms — draining fluid (pleural effusion), managing pain and breathlessness, and nutritional support — are an important part of care at every stage and can significantly improve quality of life.
Why the Center Matters
Mesothelioma is rare, and outcomes are strongly influenced by experience. Care at a center that treats mesothelioma regularly — with a multidisciplinary team of thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, and pathologists — gives patients access to the full range of options and current trials.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma and were exposed to asbestos at work, in the military, or in a building, you may have a legal claim — which can help cover treatment costs and support your family.
This information is educational, drawn from sources such as the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute, and is not medical advice. Treatment decisions can only be made with your own physicians.