Lobectomy for Mesothelioma
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP This page has been fact-checked by a Doctor of nursing practice specializing in Oncology and has experience working with mesothelioma patients.
Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article. We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date.
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For patients with resectable mesothelioma, several surgical procedures may be used to remove as much malignant tissue as possible.[1] Not all patients are eligible for surgery based on how much cancer has spread, but for some, a lobectomy may slow tumor growth, relieve symptoms, and extend survival time.
Mesothelioma Surgical Procedures
Mesothelioma patients often receive a multi-modal approach to treatment. This means using a combination of two or more treatment modalities, most often with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
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The goals of surgery and the procedure chosen depend on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s health and preferences.
Surgery for mesothelioma might have a curative intent if the patient got an early diagnosis. For instance, an extrapleural pneumonectomy removes a significant amount of tissue and may lead to remission.
For later stages, surgical procedures are considered palliative to relieve symptoms associated with mesothelioma while extending life as possible.[2]
Most mesothelioma patients are somewhere between the two extremes. A surgery, such as a lobectomy, may be used to remove as much malignant tissue as possible to reduce symptoms. This procedure can improve survival times.
What Is a Lobectomy?
Many different surgical procedures help manage or treat lung conditions like mesothelioma. A lobectomy is a surgery that removes one entire lobe of a lung.
The lobes are the segments of each lung. The left lung has two lobes, while the right lung has three. A lobectomy leaves a significant portion of lung tissue intact, allowing mostly normal function.[3]
A surgeon may perform a lobectomy when a condition, such as mesothelioma affects only part of the lung. It often requires a thoracotomy, a complete opening of the chest, which is invasive and risky.
In some cases, the surgery may be less invasive; VATS, or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery involves smaller incisions and tools.[3]
Lobectomy Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleurectomy/decortication is a primary surgical treatment for mesothelioma that involves removing the pleural tissue, followed by any tissue with the tumors.
The goal is to remove as much of the malignant tissue as possible for slowing cancerous growth and extending the patient’s life expectancy. A surgeon may also choose to do a lobectomy during this procedure.[4]
In rare cases, a lobectomy may be performed with the intent to cure pleural mesothelioma. A case study of a patient with pleural mesothelioma described how his doctors performed a lobectomy to cure the cancer.
This was only thought possible because the tumor was localized. This meant that just one lobe could be removed without leaving a lot of tumors behind. One year later, the patient was doing well and had no recurrence of cancer.[4]
Localized mesothelioma that can be cured by a lobectomy is extremely rare and rarely reported. In most cases, a lobectomy is not a curative procedure. It can be a part of more extensive surgery with curative intent or to slow the progression of the disease.
The Risks of a Lobectomy
Any major surgery comes with risks. An invasive lobectomy with thoracotomy is riskier, while the VATS strategy is less risky because it doesn’t require opening the chest. Potential risks of any lobectomy surgery include:[3]
- Infections
- Excessive bleeding
- Air between the pleura, which may lead to a collapsed lung
- A bronchopleural fistula, a hole between the airway and pleura
- Empyema, pus collected in the chest cavity
- Pleural effusion, fluid between the lung and chest wall
- Pain, including long-term, chronic pain
- Damage to organs near the surgery site
- Risks of general anesthesia, including pneumonia, blood clots, stroke, and heart attack
It is important to weigh the benefits and the risks when deciding on a lobectomy or any surgical procedure. The risks are worth the potential benefits for many mesothelioma patients, mainly because treatment options are limited. Use your medical team’s guidance to make the best choice.
Recovering from Surgery
If you undergo a VATS lobectomy for mesothelioma, recovery time will be less than if the surgery is more invasive. Depending on your other medical conditions and the type of surgery you undergo will determine how long you stay in the hospital after surgery.
Surgeons and hospital systems that perform higher mesothelioma cases might have specialized protocols to have patients go home sooner.
You will need to keep the incision sites clean and dry and monitor for signs of complications at home. Seek medical attention if you develop a fever, if the incision site swells, turns red, bleeds, or is painful, if you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, or if you have unusual chest pain, coughing, or mental confusion.
A lobectomy is a surgical procedure that may sometimes be used in a multi-modal approach to treating and managing pleural mesothelioma. It is rarely curative. However, in some instances, it might provide symptom benefits. Talk to your medical team if you have questions about this procedure or if you wonder if it is right for you.
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP
Anne Courtney has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has years of oncology experience working with patients with malignant mesothelioma, as well as other types of cancer. Dr. Courtney currently works at University of Texas LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes.