Treatment options

Mesothelioma is a difficult illness to treat, as it doesn’t respond well to most standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, doctors and researchers are working hard to find better ways to treat it. The good news is that steps taken to reduce exposure to asbestos are expected to prevent many future cases.

Right now, the focus of treatment is often on managing symptoms to improve comfort and quality of life. For example, if fluid builds up around the lungs and causes breathlessness, it can be drained to help you breathe more easily. Pain relief is also a key part of treatment, and your healthcare team will work with you to keep you as comfortable as possible. In some cases, a procedure called pleurodesis may be used to help stop fluid from building up again.

Sometimes, small lumps or swellings can develop at the site of a biopsy or surgery. To reduce the chance of this happening, doctors may recommend a short course of radiotherapy to that area.

Will it spread to other parts of the body?

Mesothelioma usually doesn’t spread to distant parts of the body. Instead, it tends to grow slowly and stays mostly in the area where it first started—along the lining of the chest or abdominal wall. Most symptoms and problems are limited to that area and nearby tissues, rather than affecting the whole body.

Will I have any pain? If so, can it be controlled?

Some people with mesothelioma feel aches or pain early on, while others have little discomfort at first. This pain isn’t always linked to how advanced the disease is—it often depends on where the tumour is located. When the lining of the chest (pleura) becomes rough, it can cause pain and make breathing harder.

Good pain control is important for your quality of life. Most pain can be managed with the right combination of medications, tailored to your needs. If you're struggling, ask your GP or hospital doctor about specialist support, such as Macmillan Nurses or hospice care.

Other techniques like relaxation can also help.