Mesothelioma thoracotomy is one of the surgical procedures performed to access the lung cavity for a number of reasons. It usually performed to stop the cancer from spreading, by removing the affected tissue before it develops to large tumors, and starts affecting the diaphragm. It is also used as a diagnostic tool, because the removed tissue infected with cancer is sent to biopsy where it is tested against a number of chemotherapy drugs and other mesothelioma treatment methods, to see which of those is the most effective.
Asbestos exposure and the cancer it causes need to be diagnosed, and for that clinical trials are performed. Mesothelioma thoracotomy is of great help in that way. Lung cancer doctors can actually see the affected tissue and thoroughly study it to determine how it is going to act further.
Types of mesothelioma thoracotomy
Mesothelioma thoracotomy consists of a number of different procedures, each with its specific purpose:
- Segmentectomy ( a procedure by witch a portion of the affected lung is removed, firstly because it contains the cancer, and secondly because it needs to be studied by doctors to determine the best way of treating it, if, after removal the cancer reappears)
- Lobectomy ( if symptoms and the initial diagnosis point to the fact that the cancer is present only in one of the lungs lobes, this will be removed with the help of lobectomy)
- Pneumonectomy ( if the cancer spread to an entire lung, that lung is completely removed, and air ways and blood vessels that lead to the removed lung are sealed)
The risk after performing thoracotomy and removing the cancer is that it can appear again after sometime, and then it may be harder to deal with. Also, thoracotomy involves a long recovery time, from two to three months, needs a special diet and intensive care of the wounds, and also, the patient requires two weeks of hospital care. After mesothelioma thoracotomy a tube will remain in the patient’s chest for a couple of days that prevents fluid from building up.
As a treatment method for mesothelioma, thoracotomy is usually an effective procedure, because it removes the cancer fast and it removes all of it. After that, a short cycle of mesothelioma chemotherapy is performed to stop the cancer from appearing again.
Get mesothelioma thoracotomy
Is your diagnosis not complete, or are you going to have to go through a mesothelioma thoracotomy procedure? Contact asbestosis and mesothelioma centers and we will gladly help, free of any kind of charge.