Mesothelioma

Treatment

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers comprehensive mesothelioma care, including advanced treatments and new options available only through clinical studies.

A diagnosis of cancer can feel overwhelming. Fred Hutch has an experienced, compassionate team ready to help.

Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease.

Mesothelioma expertise at Fred Hutch

Everything you need is here

We have expert surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists; the most advanced diagnostic, treatment and recovery programs; and extensive support. Along with your cancer doctors, your team includes other Fred Hutch experts who specialize in treating people with cancer — like palliative care professionals, social workers, physical therapists and dietitians.

Pathologist A physician who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. Radiation oncologist A physician who has special training in using radiation to treat cancer.

Innovative mesothelioma therapies

Fred Hutch offers clinical studies that may be appropriate for your type of mesothelioma. Patients who participate in clinical studies have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research.

Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease.

Mesothelioma treatment tailored to you

We view mesothelioma treatment as a collaborative effort. Your Fred Hutch team will explain all your options and recommend a treatment plan based on the stage and effects of your cancer as well as your overall health and preferences.

Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. Treatment plan A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A treatment plan may also include information about how much the treatment is likely to cost and about regular follow-up care after treatment ends.

Team-based approach

National cancer care guidelines recommend that people with malignant mesothelioma receive treatment from a multidisciplinary team experienced with this disease. At Fred Hutch, we provide this type of team-based care, and we have more experience than any other treatment center in the region.

Learn More About Supportive Care Services

Ongoing care and support

Throughout your treatment, your team provides follow-up care on a schedule tailored to you. We’re here to support you and your family and to connect you with resources inside and outside Fred Hutch.

Treatment types

Treatment looks different for different people depending on your diagnosis. We tailor your treatment plan to you. Learn more about the treatment types offered at Fred Hutch.

Treatment plan A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A treatment plan may also include information about how much the treatment is likely to cost and about regular follow-up care after treatment ends.

Surgery

Surgical procedures for pleural mesothelioma include:

Removing the lining inside your chest and over your lung (pleurectomy/decortication) on the side of your cancer. Sometimes surgeons also need to remove and reconstruct the lining around the heart, diaphragm (breathing muscle below your lungs) or both. Typically people who have this surgery also have other forms of treatment, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Removing your entire lung with the lining inside your chest wall, the diaphragm and the lining around the heart on the side of your cancer (extrapleural pneumonectomy). Most people have other treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, along with this surgery.
Making a small incision to place medicine inside your chest through a tube (VATS pleurodesis). This is done to adhere your lung to the inside of your chest wall so fluid cannot build up in your chest and make it hard for you to breathe.
Making a small incision to put a tube in the space around your lung (VATS indwelling catheter placement). If fluid inside your chest makes breathing difficult, you can drain the fluid through the tube without having to go to the doctor's office.

Even if your tumor has spread too far to hope to remove it completely with surgery, your team might recommend surgery to relieve your symptoms (palliative surgery).

Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Diaphragm The thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen. Radiation therapy The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.

Surgery

Surgical procedures for pleural mesothelioma.

Radiation

For mesothelioma, radiation therapy may be given externally or internally.

External radiation uses a machine outside your body to aim high-energy beams at your tumor.
Internal radiation, also called brachytherapy, involves inserting radioisotopes (materials that produce radiation) through thin plastic tubes directly into the place where cancer cells are.

Radiation therapy The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body.

Radiation

For mesothelioma, radiation therapy may be given externally or internally.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy medicines for mesothelioma are usually given through an intravenous (IV) line so they can travel through your bloodstream.

Recent studies suggest an increasing role for immunotherapy in treating this disease. Fred Hutch has been involved in clinical studies exploring the addition of immunotherapy in mesothelioma treatment.

Your Fred Hutch team will talk with you about the specific medicines we recommend for you, how you’ll receive them, your treatment schedule and what to expect. We’ll also explain how to take the best possible care of yourself during treatment and after, and we’ll connect you with medical and support resources throughout Fred Hutch.

Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Immunotherapy A type of therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection and other diseases. A therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection and other diseases. Some immunotherapies only target certain cells of the immune system. Others affect the immune system in a general way. Types of immunotherapy include cytokines, vaccines, bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and some monoclonal antibodies.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy medicines for mesothelioma are usually given through an intravenous (IV) line so they can travel through your bloodstream.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC)

This treatment is for people with mesothelioma of the abdomen that has spread to the abdominal lining (peritoneum). Cancer that has spread here is called peritoneal carcinomatosis, or peritoneal cancer.

CRS-HIPEC may be able to control advanced disease while also giving you good quality of life. It combines two parts in one operation:

A surgery to remove all the cancer that surgeons can see
Chemotherapy, in liquid form, that is warmed and then put into your abdomen to kill any cancer cells left behind after surgery

Fred Hutch has an experienced team that provides CRS-HIPEC.

Learn More

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC)

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