Mesothelioma surgery is generally reserved for diagnoses that are made before an individual has reached Stage IV of the disease. Although a “curative” surgery is not possible with mesothelioma, the ability to remove tumors by surgery can alleviate some of the debilitating symptoms of mesothelioma, such as breathing difficulties and chest pain. Probably the most commonly used surgical technique used on mesothelioma patients is thoracentesis, or fluid aspiration or removal. While not a complicated procedure, thoracentesis relieves the pressure felt on the lungs as a result of abnormal cells proliferating in the in and around the lungs, making breathing much easier for the patient. This type of surgery can also be performed on the stomach and heart as well, if the mesothelioma has spread to those areas and is causing fluid buildup in the tissues. (more…)
Mesothelioma
Categories
Popular Tags