Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location and size of the cancerous tumor, the progression of the disease, and the patient's age and health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherepy.

Depending on the patient's conditions, these treatments can be combined:

• Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma, which may involve removing part of the lining and tissue of the chest or abdomen. For cancer of the pleura, a pneumonectomy may have to be performed, in which one of the lungs may be removed if the cancer is severe.

• Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) involves focusing high energy rays to the desired area to shrink tumors and eliminate cancerous cells. The radiation therapy may come from external radiation from a machine, or through internal radiation therapy from materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the targeted areas.

• Chemotherapy involves the use of anti-cancer drugs and other chemical agents to kill cancer cells throughout the patient's body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein intravenously or through IV.

The recommended approach to finding the most effective mesothelioma treatment for you is see your doctor to find the best medical care and to stay informed on up-to-date medical news on mesothelioma.