Treatment of Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma (Stages II, III, and IV)

For about the treatments listed below, see the Treatment Option Overview section.

If stage II, stage III, or stage IV malignant mesothelioma is found in the chest, treatment may be one of the following:

• Draining fluid that has collected in the chest, to relieve chest discomfort and improve quality of life. Pleurodesis may be done to stop more fluid from collecting in the chest. For more information, see Cardiopulmonary Syndromes.
• Palliative surgery in certain patients.
• Palliative radiation therapy to relieve pain.
• Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (nivolumab and ipilimumab).
• A clinical trial of combination chemotherapy with or without a monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab).
• A clinical trial of combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy placed directly into the chest cavity to shrink the tumors and keep fluid from building up.

If stage II, stage III, or stage IV malignant mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, treatment may be one of the following:

• Surgery to remove the tumor followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.