Mesothelioma Therapy Surgical Treatment Options

Question 1

Which surgery is considered the most aggressive and potentially curative procedure for pleural mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)

Answer

Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D)

Answer

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

Answer

Debulking surgery

Question 2

What does Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D) involve?

Accepted Answer

Removal of the pleura while sparing the lung

Answer

Removal of the entire lung

Answer

Removal of the diaphragm only

Answer

Removal of mediastinal lymph nodes

Question 3

Which patient characteristic is most important when determining surgical eligibility for EPP?

Accepted Answer

Adequate cardiopulmonary reserve

Answer

Age over 65

Answer

BMI greater than 30

Answer

Previous chemotherapy

Question 4

Which surgical approach is most commonly used for peritoneal mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with HIPEC

Answer

EPP

Answer

P/D

Answer

Thoracotomy

Question 5

What is the primary goal of debulking surgery in mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Reducing tumor burden to improve quality of life and treatment response

Answer

Complete cure

Answer

Replacing chemotherapy entirely

Answer

Eliminating lymph node metastases

Question 6

Which factor most contraindicates surgical resection in mesothelioma patients?

Accepted Answer

Distant metastatic disease (Stage IV)

Answer

Stage I disease

Answer

Epithelioid cell type

Answer

Age 50–60