What Are the Treatment Options for Mesothelioma?

Overview of Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatment has advanced significantly over the past two decades, offering patients more options than ever before. The most appropriate treatment plan depends on several factors, including the type and stage of mesothelioma, the location of the tumor, the patient’s overall health, and their personal treatment goals. A multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, and specialists typically collaborates to design each patient’s care plan.

For patients diagnosed with early-stage pleural mesothelioma, aggressive surgical approaches combined with chemotherapy and radiation — known as multimodal therapy — may offer the best chance at extending survival. For advanced-stage disease, treatment often focuses on controlling symptoms and maintaining quality of life through palliative approaches.

Understanding every available treatment option is an important step. Patients and families who educate themselves about these choices are better equipped to have informed discussions with their medical team.

Surgical Options

Surgery plays a central role in mesothelioma treatment for eligible patients. The two primary surgical procedures for pleural mesothelioma are extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). EPP involves removing the affected lung along with surrounding tissue, while P/D removes the tumor and pleural lining while preserving the lung.

For peritoneal mesothelioma, cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown promising results, with some studies reporting median survival times exceeding five years for select patients.

Chemotherapy and Radiation

Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of mesothelioma treatment. The standard first-line regimen combines pemetrexed (Alimta) with cisplatin or carboplatin. This combination has been shown to improve survival and reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy may be administered before surgery (neoadjuvant), after surgery (adjuvant), or as a standalone treatment for patients who are not surgical candidates.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. In mesothelioma, radiation is most commonly used after surgery to eliminate remaining microscopic cancer cells, to reduce the risk of recurrence at surgical sites, or as a palliative measure to relieve pain and other symptoms.

Immunotherapy and Emerging Treatments

In 2020, the FDA approved the combination of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) for unresectable pleural mesothelioma, marking a significant milestone in mesothelioma immunotherapy. This checkpoint inhibitor combination works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Clinical trials showed improved overall survival compared to standard chemotherapy for patients with non-epithelioid cell types.

Other emerging treatments include tumor treating fields (TTFields), photodynamic therapy, and gene therapy. Patients interested in cutting-edge treatments should discuss trial eligibility with their oncologist or contact a specialized mesothelioma treatment center.

Legal Rights and Treatment Costs

Mesothelioma treatment can be expensive, with costs for surgery, chemotherapy, and ongoing care reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may be entitled to compensation that can help cover medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. Legal options include personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and veterans benefits.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney can evaluate your situation and explain which forms of compensation may be available. At Danziger & De Llano, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.