A range of treatments are recommended for some people with mesothelioma. These aim to control the cancer and can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, which may be used alone or in combination.
Your specialist will discuss your treatment options with you, and these will depend on several factors including:
- the location, stage and type of mesothelioma, which helps estimate the likelihood of response to treatment
- your age, health and fitness
- your family circumstances and support
- what is most important to you.
Learn more about:
Listen to podcasts on Making Treatment Decisions and Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Deciding to have treatment
Cancer treatments can help control the disease for a longer period of time and improve quality of life for some people. It is important to talk to your treatment team about what each treatment involves, what side effects to expect and what recovery will be like.
While some treatments are not suitable for everyone, even if a particular treatment is recommended, it will be up to you whether or not to proceed (Making treatment decisions). You can also call Cancer Council 13 11 20 or talk to one of these mesothelioma support services.
A/Prof Brian McCaughan, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Theodora Ahilas, Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, NSW; Prof David Ball, Director, Lung Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Shirley Bare, Consumer; Cassandra Dickens, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cancer Care Coordinator – Thoracic Malignancies, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD; Penny Jacomos, Social Worker, Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, SA; A/Prof Thomas John, Medical Oncologist, Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Austin Health, and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, VIC; Victoria Keena, Executive Officer, Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW; Penny Lefeuvre, Consumer; Jocelyn McLean, Mesothelioma Support Coordinator, Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW; Prof David Morris, Peritonectomy Surgeon, St George Hospital and University of New South Wales, NSW; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Western Australia; Prof Anna Nowak, Medical Oncologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, WA; Prof Jennifer Philip, Palliative Care Specialist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Nicole Taylor, Acting Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Cancer Specialist Nurse, The Canberra Hospital, ACT. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title. Previous editions of this title and related resources were funded in part by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities and a donation from Lyall Watts.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Featured Resource
The information on this page is also available for download.
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a qualified health professional someone who has been there, support groups & forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Learn about this type of mesothelioma, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how to manage its symptoms
Patient rights and responsibilities
What you can reasonably expect from your health care providers