Treatment for people with pleural mesothelioma may be aimed at improving symptoms or trying to control the disease.
Learn more about:
- Overview
- Deciding to have treatment
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Trimodality therapy
Overview
The treatment options suggested by your health care team will vary depending on:
- the location, stage and type of mesothelioma, which helps doctors predict how the cancer will respond to treatment
- your age, health and fitness and home support available
- what is most important to you.
Deciding to have treatment
The cancer treatments we discuss here 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 how long recovery will take.
Some treatments are not suitable for everyone. Even if a particular treatment is recommended, it is up to you whether or not you want to have it (see Making treatment decisions). You can also call Cancer Council 13 11 20 or talk to one of these mesothelioma support services.
→ READ MORE: Making treatment decisions
Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
More resources
-
Chemotherapy
Download PDF579kB -
Immunotherapy
Download PDF208kB
-
Radiation Therapy
Download PDF673kB
Dr Anthony Linton, Medical Oncologist, Concord Cancer Centre and Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Donatella Arnoldo, Consumer; Polly Baldwin, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Melvin (Wee Loong) Chin, Medical Oncologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, WA; Prof Kwun Fong, Thoracic and Sleep Physician and Director, UQ Thoracic Research Centre, The Prince Charles Hospital, and Professor of Medicine, The University of Queensland, QLD; Vicki Hamilton OAM, Consumer and CEO, Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS Inc., VIC; Dr Susan Harden, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Penny Jacomos, Social Worker, Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, SA; Prof Brian Le, Director, Parkville Integrated Palliative Care Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Lung Cancer Support Nurses, Lung Foundation Australia; Jocelyn McLean, Mesothelioma Support Coordinator, Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW; Prof David Morris, Peritonectomy Surgeon, St George Hospital and UNSW, NSW; Joanne Oates, Registered Occupational Therapist, Expert Witness in Dust Diseases, and Director, Evaluate, NSW; Chris Sheppard and Adam Barlow, RMB Lawyers.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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
Making cancer treatment decisions
Decision-making steps, consent and second opinions
Deciding on specialist care
How to find and choose a surgeon, oncologist or other specialist