Mesothelioma Treatment Options By Stage, continued:

Stage I Since the cancer in Stage I is confined to certain areas of the body and has not spread, it can often be removed using surgery or other means. Mesothelioma treatment options for Stage I patients include:

Pleurectomy and decortication: The surgical removal of part or all of the surface of a diseased organ, such as tissue covering the lungs and pleural cavity. This may help relieve the pain associated with mesothelioma and improve the patient's quality of life.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy: Surgery in which the cancerous lung is removed, as well as portions of the pericardium, diaphragm and parietal pleura.

Radiation therapy: This mesothelioma treatment involves the use of high-energy radiation to help shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells, often used when a patient is too ill to undergo major surgery.

Clinical trials: The patient may benefit from treatment using a new anticancer drug or a combined treatment using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.