Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma Patients

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and shrink tumors. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation therapy), or your doctor may suggest using thin plastic tubes to place materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) inside your body where the mesothelioma cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy). If fluid has collected in your abdomen (paracentesis) or chest (thoracentesis), your doctor will drain it by using gentle suction to remove the fluid via a needle. You may be given drugs to prevent more fluid from accumulating.