Mesothelioma is difficult to treat. In a very few cases, when the cancer is found early enough, an operation to cut it out (surgery) may cure it. This involves very major surgery, and it must usually be combined with another treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, to improve the chance of cure. In most cases, mesothelioma is found after it has spread too far for an operation to cure it.

If you can not be offered curative treatment, you may be offered treatment to try to slow the growth of the cancer and to relieve the symptoms you have (such as pain or breathlessness). This is called active symptom control or palliative treatment.

The treatment you will be offered will depend on:

• the type of mesothelioma that you have
• how far it has grown and spread
• your age and general state of health. For example, some patients may not be strong enough to go through major surgery.

Your treatment will be planned with you by the hospital multidisciplinary team of doctors and other healthcare professionals. The risks, benefits and side-effects of the treatments you are offered will be discussed with you.

You will then need to agree to the treatment before it can start. This is called giving your consent. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand.

It is a good idea to think about whether your treatment plan will have any practical or financial implications for you and your family. Your cancer nurse specialist will be able to talk to you about these, and tell you about other sources of help and support.

Radiotherapy for mesothelioma
Chemotherapy for mesothelioma
Surgery for mesothelioma
Palliative treatment and supportive care

Clinical trials
Some treatments are standard. Some treatments are being tested in clinical trials. Your hospital doctor will tell you about any trials you might be able to take part in.