Mesothelioma surgery is almost always used when treating this cancer. However, surgery alone is not very effective and is almost always combined with chemotherapy or radiation.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says there are two types of mesothelioma surgery: palliative and curative. Palliative surgery is used when the mesothelioma has spread and cannot be removed completely. It is performed primarily to relieve pain and discomfort. Curative surgery is used when the patient is in fairly good health and the tumor has not spread beyond one area. This type of surgery is not likely to cure, but may extend a patient's life.

There are two types of mesothelioma surgery for pleural mesothelioma according to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). With pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), doctors remove the lining of the inside of the chest and the lining of the lung. This is usually a palliative procedure to help with symptoms and pain. With extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), doctors remove the lung. The ACS says this is usually a curative procedure.

Because the abdomen is such a complex space containing many fragile organs, surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is more complicated. Most mesothelioma surgery performed in the abdominal space focuses on debulking, or decreasing the size of tumors.

MARF says that mesothelioma surgery offers the greatest chance for success. However, it can have serious or life-threatening side-effects, including:

• Hemorrhage
• Lung infection
• Collection of infected fluid in the chest
• Heart arrhythmia
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Digestive problems
• Nerve damage

Mesothelioma surgery may also contaminate new areas with cancer cells, causing the cancer to grow in additional places in the body. If you or a loved one has had surgery as part of mesothelioma treatment, you may want to share your story with others in the Mesothelioma Discussion Board.