Treatment options for malignant mesothelioma
Although a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is often met with dread, there are a number of treatment options available -- depending on the stage of the disease. In the past, treatment has focused on (often aggressive) surgical procedures; nowadays surgery may be combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. In addition, there are many new treatment options available also.

The treating physician should discuss the treatment options available to someone with malignant mesothelioma, and help decide which is most suitable, depending on:

the stage of the disease
the functional status of the patient
the side effects of treatment
discomfort associated with surgery
the wishes of the patient.
Many treatment options are associated with considerable side effects, discomfort, or disfigurement. For some patients, these may be more than they are willing to bear, so that they choose to forgo active treatment and seek palliative treatment only.

For links to sites with lists of current clinical trials in malignant mesothelioma, see Useful resources.

Surgical procedures
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
New treatments
Supportive treatment
Which therapy?