Practice of Mesothelioma Surgeons

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, scientists have developed different methods of treatment to reduce the suffering associated with illness, surgery is most commonly used method. Mesothelioma specialists may recommend surgery to remove the main mesothelioma tumor and nearby tissue over these cancer cells. However, if mesothelioma is in its advanced stage, and mesothelioma surgery can be difficult because the tumor is likely to have spread to other areas.

In such a case, surgeons are likely to remove excess fluid from around the chest or abdomen to provide pain relief. Before passing through the mesothelioma surgery , or other alternative methods of treatment, patients should discuss all potential risks or adverse side effects that may occur with mesothelioma specialist before making a decision. Mesothelioma Surgery is usually combined with chemotherapy or radiation. Through this combined treatment, mesothelioma cancer, or reduce or eliminate further growth of the tumor is controlled or stopped.

Surgery for pleural mesothelioma

There are different types of surgical practice that the mesothelioma surgeons to hire based on the type of mesothelioma cancer. They include:

Pleurectomy or decortication surgery: involves the removal of diseased lungs and surrounding areas. This leads to a reduction in tumor size, together with reduced pain due to lower pressure in the chest cavity. He also controls the accumulation of fluid. Treatment is considered palliative (pain reducing. but not cure). When combined with radiation and chemotherapy, this form has proved to increase the lifespan of the patient. Another advantage of this type mesothelioma surgery that has a low mortality rate compared to more invasive surgery such as mesothelioma were extrapleural pneumoectomy. This operation is not possible if the tumor growth was extensive in the pleural space. pneumonectomy surgery: includes the removal of the entire lung. This type of operation is employed when the cancer is at an advanced stage in order to relieve pain. thoracentesis surgery: includes a drain excess fluid from the lungs with a needle. This makes breathing problems and relieves pressure on the lungs. Extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery: is an advanced type of surgery and complicated procedures performed during the initial stages of mesothelioma. This includes the total removal of lining around the lungs, the lining around the heart and diaphragm in order to prevent further spread of mesothelioma. This type of surgery allows the removal of extensive amounts of tumor cells.

Post-surgery mesothelioma usually includes radiation and chemotherapy to prevent further spread of the disease. This type of mesothelioma surgery slows the progression of mesothelioma and improves quality of life for some patients. Patients have a median survival time of 35 months compared to the survival time of 9 months for those treated with palliative or pain-reducing treatment.

Surgical Practices used for other types of Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

for pericardial mesothelioma, mesothelioma surgeons employ similar processes such as tissue to relieve pain and discomfort. This however does not cure the disease completely. Mesothelioma Surgery is usually the last resort for patients this process is expensive and not covered by most insurance companies.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Surgery is usually not possible for everyone. If at all possible, then patients undergo peritonectomy surgery to remove the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Recently, doctors have introduced a new surgery technique called 'cytoreductive surgery' to treat this disease. In this technique, they spend six different types of peritonectomy procedures to extract the maximum amount of tumor. They then administer chemotherapy after surgery, the peritoneal cavity directly.

Some physicians also manage the type of chemotherapy that is heated to several degrees above body temperature is called hyperthermic intraperitoneal intraoperative chemotherapy (HIIC). It has proven to be very effective result in the survival rate of approximately 5 years. However, this process is still under clinical course.

Thoracospic surgery

Mesothelioma surgeons also use video-assistance in surgical technique called 'thoracoscopic surgery "(VATS) for. In this, various biopsy pleural lining, nodules, masses, and pleural fluid were done through a minimally invasive procedure in conjunction with other therapies such as pleurodesis for pleural effusions. Several ports or incisions are made ​​through the chest in which a small camera is inserted to specific instruments for obtaining tissue samples. With the aid of video screen displays images captured by the camera allows the surgeon to complete all necessary procedures. This procedure is a more viable option compared to the thoracotomy, which involves a cut in order to reach the chest cavity.