• Chemotherapy within the chest cavity (intracavitary) after aggressive surgery.
• Clinical trials of new chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy techniques.
Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma
In this stage, the tumor has spread beyond the cavity of origin, with metastasis outside the serosal surface. This extension can include the lung, the chest wall, as well as abdominal organs such as the bowel.
Standard Treatment In some patients, surgical removal of the tumor may be done as a palliative measure. Radiation therapy may also be given in an attempt to control the growth of the malignancy and reduce symptoms in the chest wall.
As for localized disease, chemical irritants are used to control collections of fluid caused by irritation from the tumor. The fluid is drained beforehand and the chemical irritants introduced through a chest tube.
Five-Year Survival Less than 10 percent— the average survival is about 5 months.
