Mesothelioma Lawyer
Surgical Treatment for Mesothelioma
There are two basic types of surgical treatments for mesothelioma. The first is called palliative surgery and the second is called curative surgery. Either of these surgeries can be very helpful, but just as with any surgery, there are certain risks involved in performing them.
Palliative surgery is performed when mesothelioma has spread too far to safely perform a curative surgery. However, it can also be performed when a patient cannot take more invasive surgery. Curative surgery is used to excise the entire tumor in the hopes of curing the patient of mesothelioma.
Palliative surgeries tend to be more common in mesothelioma cases. One of the most common forms of palliative surgery is to drain fluid from a cavity in the chest or abdomen. This relieves pressure from the lungs, the heart or another organ in order to improve circulation or respiration. In some cases, talc or an antibiotic may be injected into the cavity to prevent the fluid from returning.
While draining fluid can be very helpful, it can also lead to complications. In some cases, the cancerous cells can spread along the path of the needle, forming a tumor nodule. For this reason, doctors will often not recommend surgery. In fact, curative surgery can be just as dangerous and can make the condition worse.
Speak with a Mesothelioma Lawyer
While there is some success with surgery, it is limited. Have your doctor explain all of your options and their risks before making any decisions. If you would like more information, contact the mesothelioma lawyer of Williams Kherkher at 800-781-3955.
