Mesothelioma Lawyer
Curative Procedures for Pleural Mesothelioma
The goal of procedure with curative intent is the removal of all gross disease, with the knowledge that microscopic disease will most likely remain.
Pleurectomy
A pleurectomy is typically performed on patients with early stage disease. It attempts to remove all gross tumors. If the entire tumor cannot be removed without removing the lung, a pneumonectomy will be performed in which tumor and lung are removed.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
This is a much more radical procedure than other approaches and should only be performed by surgeons who specialize in extrapleural pneumonectomy. This surgery is typically combined with traditional chemotherapy or radiation. It is sometimes paired with new approaches like gene therapy, immunotherapy, or photodynamic therapy to help effect a cure.
Patient Criteria
An extrapleural pneumonectomy is a serious operation that requires doctors to choose their patients very carefully. Each surgeon has their own preferences as to advise the patient on the procedure’s feasibility as well as conduct the necessary tests to optimize the patient’s chances for survival and recovery. The criteria may include:
- Karnofsky Performance Status score greater than 70
- Adequate kidney and liver function tests
- Normal cardiac function per electrocardiogram and echocardiography
- Adequate pulmonary function to tolerate the surgery
- Disease limited to the same side of the chest as the mesothelioma
Speak with a Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or someone you love living with mesothelioma, there is help. Contact the mesothelioma lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800.781.3955 today.
