Extrapleural
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
This is a far more extensive operation and considered as a potentially curative surgery. It is often used in patients with localized mesothelioma of the epithelioid type, when the surgeon thinks a cure is possible. To tolerate this surgery, the patient should be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses. EPP is suitable only if the cancer is at an early stage. If it has spread to lymph nodes, or is growing into any other major body parts outside the lung, this surgery is not suitable. It is a complicated operation and is done only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. This operation removes the entire lung on the side of the tumor, and the pleura lining the chest wall, as well as parts of the diaphragm and thepericardium
In EPP, the surgeon opens the patient's chest, either at the front or at the side. An opening at the side is called a thoracotomy and that at the front is called a sternotomy. It creates a wound about 9 inches deep. The patient has to stay in hospital for about 2 weeks after the surgery. It may take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to recover fully.
Though EPP can't cure mesothelioma, it can extend the life of patient. The people who have lived the longest after being diagnosed with mesothelioma have had this operation, together with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
