Treating Stage IV Mesothelioma

Stage IV mesothelioma treatment tends to be more palliative (which aims to relieve symptoms) than curative. For example, pleural mesothelioma treatments to drain excess fluid from the pleural cavity such as a thoracentesis or paracentesis are typically used to relieve symptoms rather than attempt to cure the cancer. In most late-stage cases, patients are not eligible to undergo curative surgery, as their body is not physically able to withstand the strain of surgery. Curative surgery on a Stage IV case of mesothelioma is generally too extensive, and because of the pattern of mesothelioma tumor growth, it is not feasible to remove all of the tumors. If surgery is used on a Stage IV patient, it is likely to remove bulk tumors to reduce pressure on the lungs and alleviate symptoms.

Since radiation therapy presents fewer side effects than surgery or chemotherapy, it may be a preferred form of treatment for some Stage IV patients. Some doctors may utilize a mix of palliative radiation therapy and surgical removal of bulk tumors to ease symptoms and potentially extend survival. If surgery is not an option, chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with radiation therapy to shrink tumors and provide relief of symptoms. Although these treatments do not offer a cure, patients may elect to receive them in an effort to reduce pain and improve quality of life.