Mesothelioma Cancer

Treatment options for malignant mesothelioma

New treatments

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy involves injection of light-sensitive molecules into the pleural space. These are taken up by the tumor cells, which then have intense light beams directed at them, resulting in their death. In good-risk patients with small malignant mesotheliomas, photodynamic therapy has been moderately successful, although complications may occur with poorly directed light.

In combination with surgical procedures, photodynamic therapy has not improved survival or local disease control. Furthermore, it has damaging effects on normal and healing tissues, and the post-operative death rates may be high. It is therefore not likely to become standard treatment for malignant mesothelioma.