Mesothelioma Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life by relieving pain and other symptoms. Although it’s often recommended for late-stage patients, it is not the same as hospice care. Research suggests all mesothelioma patients and caregivers could benefit from palliative care as early as possible. Our team can help you understand your options and connect with a doctor to get started.

Medically reviewed by: Amy Fair, RN

Last updated:

What Is Mesothelioma Palliative Care?

Palliative care for mesothelioma cancer is specialized treatment focused on making a patient’s life better by managing symptoms, reducing pain, and addressing emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.

This type of care helps both patients and caregivers and is sometimes referred to as comfort care or supportive care.

A mesothelioma palliative care team may include:

  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Nutritionists
  • Social workers
  • Spiritual advisors/chaplains
  • Other trained health care specialists

Get connected with a specialist who can develop a palliative care plan for you. Use our Free Doctor Match service to get started.

Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor
  • Find top specialists near you
  • Seek compensation for travel & care
  • Get medical guidance

Get Matched Now

Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor

Benefits of Mesothelioma Palliative Care

Palliative care can be beneficial at any point after a mesothelioma diagnosis — and research suggests patients receiving palliative care live longer than those who do not.

Mesothelioma palliative treatment can:

  1. Relieve pain and other symptoms. Medications and other methods of pain and symptom relief can help you feel more comfortable and better able to enjoy life.
  2. Improve your ability to undergo treatment. Many life-extending mesothelioma treatments come with severe side effects. Palliative care aims to address these side effects so that you can continue with treatment as comfortably as possible.
  3. Support carers. Caregivers can benefit from mesothelioma palliative care through education, counseling, or logistical support. Respite care is also available to provide temporary relief.
  4. Address emotional and spiritual needs. Chaplains and therapists can help you navigate fears and worries and provide emotional support to help you cope with mesothelioma.
  5. Save you money on medical expenses. A study published in JCO Oncology Practice found that cancer patients who received specialty palliative care had reduced treatment costs.

A Tulane University study found that outpatient palliative care for advanced cancer patients not only improved quality of life but also led to longer survival.

“The survival benefit was comparable to what is often observed in the context of a breakthrough drug trial,” said Michael Hoerger, assistant professor of psychology, psychiatry, and oncology.

Pleural Mesothelioma Palliative Care

Palliative care for malignant pleural mesothelioma focuses on improving the quality of life for people with mesothelioma of the pleura (lung lining).

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dry, chronic cough
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Pleural effusion
  • Weight loss

To address these symptoms, pleural mesothelioma patients may receive palliative care via pain medication, diet and nutrition changes to improve energy levels and combat weight loss, and other methods to alleviate fever and coughing.

Specific pleural mesothelioma palliative care options include:

  • Partial pleurectomy: Removal of part of the pleura (lung lining) so fluid can’t fill it. Fluid buildup in the pleura, called pleural effusions, is a common cause of discomfort in pleural mesothelioma patients.
  • PleurX catheter: A catheter can be inserted into the pleural space to manage recurrent pleural effusions. Patients can then have the fluid drained at home instead of going to the hospital.
  • Talc pleurodesis: The space between the two layers of the pleura is sealed with medical-grade talc so that it can no longer fill with fluid.
  • Thoracentesis: Doctors use a needle to drain pleural effusions so patients can breathe more easily.
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): This procedure allows doctors to drain fluid or perform a partial pleurectomy to relieve symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

All of these options are very helpful because pleural effusions are present in roughly 70% of pleural mesothelioma cases, and are often the first symptom patients experience.

“When it comes to mesothelioma treatment, you want to put quality of life on equal footing with extension of life.”

Dr. Joseph Friedberg, mesothelioma specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Palliative Care

Palliative care for peritoneal mesothelioma addresses symptom management for individuals with mesothelioma of the peritoneum (abdominal lining).

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include:

  • Abdominal fluid buildup (ascites)
  • Belly pain
  • Bloating
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting

Some of the peritoneal mesothelioma palliative care options include:

  • Debulking surgery: Aims to remove as much of the tumor as possible to relieve internal pressure and other symptoms of a large tumor.
  • Diet and nutrition: Working with a registered dietitian can help your body naturally cope with bloating, loss of appetite, and constipation.
  • Paracentesis: Drains fluid in the lining of the abdominal cavity that surrounds nearby internal organs to reduce peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms.

Peritoneal mesothelioma patients may also receive medications to help manage pain, address nausea, and improve bowel movements.

Get help relieving your symptoms today with the help of a trained mesothelioma specialist. Use our Free Doctor Match service to connect with a doctor near you.

Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor
  • Find top specialists near you
  • Seek compensation for travel & care
  • Get medical guidance

Get Matched Now

Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor

When to Get Mesothelioma Palliative Care

Many people associate palliative care with end-of-life care, but it’s not the same as hospice.

While palliative care can bring comfort to advanced-stage patients who may not qualify for life-extending treatments, it can be started at any time.

You may consider mesothelioma palliative care if:

  • Your symptoms are becoming harder to manage.
  • Treatments are causing severe side effects that impact your daily life.
  • You’ve had multiple hospital or ER visits in a short time.
  • A family member who has been providing care can no longer do so.
  • Side effects are impacting your ability to continue treatments.

“When patients come in for their evaluation, all the relevant members of the team will see them — and that often does include palliative care. Palliative care is integrative. We’re looking at nutrition, physical therapy, and risk management. Those are really important things to get going right away, no matter what your therapy is.”

Dr. James Pingpank, mesothelioma specialist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), “Patients and caregivers should be able to request malignant mesothelioma palliative care at any stage, with any prognosis, based on their needs.”

Types of Mesothelioma Palliative Treatment

There are several kinds of palliative care for patients with mesothelioma, from surgery to meditation. Learn about some of the most common ones below.

Palliative Care for Pain Management

Pain management is one of the most common reasons to seek mesothelioma palliative care. Mesothelioma tumors can press on nerves, bones, organs, or major blood vessels, leading to discomfort or severe pain.

Depending on the type of pain you or your loved one are experiencing, there are multiple options to help you manage it.

Common methods for mesothelioma pain management include:

  • Nerve blocks: Injections of a local anesthetic or other drug into or near a nerve to block pain from being felt in the body.
  • Over-the-counter medications: For milder pain, acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended.
  • Palliative chemotherapy for mesothelioma: May be administered after surgery and delivered throughout the body. Chemotherapy can help relieve pain by shrinking tumors.
  • Palliative radiotherapy for mesothelioma: Mesothelioma palliative radiation may shrink the size of tumors to alleviate pain caused by them.
  • Physical therapy: Certain physical exercises can help improve mobility and strength and help combat pain.
  • Prescription medications: Moderate to severe pain may be managed by prescription drugs, such as opioids, including codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, or tramadol.

Other Palliative Medications

In addition to pain management, medications may be used to manage other uncomfortable mesothelioma symptoms.

Palliative medications may be used to address:

  • Anxiety
  • Appetite loss
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Nausea
  • Trouble breathing
  • Vomiting

Like any cancer treatment strategy, your care team will aim to balance the impact of each treatment or set of side effects to be in your best interest.

Diet and Nutrition

Another way to support your body during treatment is through dietary changes, also called medical nutrition therapy (MNT). A licensed dietitian can develop a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.

Some considerations for diet and nutrition include:

  • Increasing your caloric intake to avoid weight loss
  • Ensuring you’re eating enough protein to support cell growth and repair
  • Stimulating your appetite by eating spicy foods or sucking on hard candies
  • Controlling your nausea by changing how much and how often you eat

You can find more targeted tips and advice in our Free Nutrition Guide. Contact our Patient Advocates to get your copy.

Alternative Palliative Treatments for Mesothelioma

While alternative mesothelioma treatment should not replace professional medical care, there are certain lifestyle habits and therapies that can help improve quality of life.

Alternative mesothelioma treatment options include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Cupping
  • Gentle movement
  • Hypnosis
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Reiki (energy healing)
  • Yoga

Combined with intentional lifestyle choices, these options have helped some mesothelioma patients reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.

These alternative mesothelioma treatments are not right for everyone. In some cases, they could even negatively affect your standard treatments. For this reason, always talk to your doctor before starting any alternative forms of palliative care.

Learn how other patients have managed their mesothelioma side effects in our Free Survivors Guide.

Mesothelioma Survivors Guide
Get Your Free Survivors Guide
  • Survivors who beat the odds
  • Tips for fighting mesothelioma
  • Navigating life after treatment

Get It Shipped Overnight

Get Help Finding Mesothelioma Palliative Care

Choosing to pursue palliative care doesn’t mean you’re not fighting the disease — in fact, it can be a powerful tool to help you continue life-extending treatments. And whether you’ve stopped treatments or are in the middle of them, you deserve to be as comfortable as possible.

Palliative care is your best friend through this process. You may experience unwanted long-term side effects from treatment, but you can enhance your quality of life by taking charge of it. Your mental and emotional health matters.”

Jenna Tozzi, RN, Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope

Mesothelioma Hope can help you find the best treatments for your situation to help improve your quality of life and allow you to live longer.

Get help developing a palliative care plan by calling us at (866) 608-8933 or using our Free Doctor Match service today.

Mesothelioma Palliative Care FAQs

What is palliative treatment for mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma palliative treatment aims to improve a patient’s quality of life. It can be used to manage pain and other symptoms to make the patient’s life more comfortable and ensure they are better able to undergo treatments.

Palliative care for mesothelioma may include pain management; OTC or prescription medications; tumor-reducing methods like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy; fluid removal; and mental, emotional, and spiritual support.

What is the difference between mesothelioma palliative care and hospice care?

Although palliative care and hospice care share some similarities, they are not the same.

  • Hospice care is traditionally suited for individuals with terminal illnesses who are expected to live for a limited time, usually less than a year, and often just a few months.
  • Palliative care is available to anyone with a serious illness, regardless of life expectancy.

Another key difference is that hospice care focuses solely on symptom relief, primarily pain management.

In contrast, palliative care allows patients to continue active treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, alongside symptom management.

How long can you live with palliative treatment?

Palliative care is mainly used to manage pain and alleviate symptoms in the later stages of mesothelioma. It is not used to improve life expectancy.

However, some studies have found that the earlier palliative treatments are used may have a positive impact on prognosis and life expectancy. It’s important to work with your mesothelioma specialist to determine the best treatment options for your diagnosis.

Can you have palliative care at home?

Yes, some palliative care treatments for mesothelioma can be administered at home. These may include medications or other therapies.

In other cases, you may need to visit an outpatient clinic or undergo a hospital procedure. Your cancer treatment team can help you plan the logistics of palliative care.

Registered nurse Amy FairReviewed by:Amy Fair, RN

Registered Nurse (RN)

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Amy Fair, RN, is a mesothelioma nurse with over 20 years of experience offering unwavering support to patients from the moment they are diagnosed and throughout the progression of their disease. Before becoming a mesothelioma nurse, Amy spent ten years providing compassionate care via home health care.

    Jenna TozziWritten by:

    Chief Patient Care Advisor

    Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

    Our Promise to You
    Our Promise to You
    References
    1. American Lung Association. (2020). Understanding Palliative Care: It’s Not What You Think. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://www.lung.org/blog/understanding-palliative-care
    2. Anticancer Research. (2021). Medical Thoracoscopy, Computed Tomography-guided Biopsy, and Ultrasound-guided Biopsy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Systematic Review. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/41/5/2217
    3. Cancer.gov. Palliative Care in Cancer. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/advanced-cancer/care-choices/palliative-care-fact-sheet
    4. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Palliative Care. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22850-palliative-care
    5. Gibson, A.E.J., Ahmed, W., Longworth, L. et al. (2024). Development of Patient and Caregiver Conceptual Models Investigating the Health-Related Quality of Life Impacts of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-024-00690-x
    6. Hargreaves, S., Gardiner, C., Tod, A., Darlison, L. (2023). Mesothelioma palliative care needs: supporting patients and families with new research-based resources. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37130714/
    7. Harrison, M., Gardiner, C., Taylor, B., Ejegi-Memeh, S., Darlison, L. (2021). Understanding the palliative care needs and experiences of people with mesothelioma and their family carers: An integrative systematic review. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02692163211007379
    8. JCO Oncology Practice. (2020). Timing, Costs, and Survival Outcome of Specialty Palliative Care in Medicare Beneficiaries With Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.20.00298
    9. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Cancer Pain (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/pain/pain-pdq
    10. National Institutes of Health. What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care? Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care
    11. Tulane University. (2018). Advanced cancer patients can live longer with palliative care, Tulane study says. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://news.tulane.edu/pr/advanced-cancer-patients-can-live-longer-palliative-care-tulane-study-says
    12. WebMD. Palliative Care Center. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/default.htm
    13. Xu, L., Yang, Y., Wang, Z., et al. (2018). Malignant pleural mesothelioma: diagnostic value of medical thoracoscopy and long-term prognostic analysis. Retrieved on October 30, 2024, from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5883515/
    Free 30-Minute ConversationWith Jenna Tozzi, RN
    Fill Out Your Contact Information
    Get Help Connecting With Palliative Care
    How We Can Help

    Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

    (866) 608-8933
    Medical Guidance
    • Get a second opinion
    • Find a doctor or cancer center
    • Access clinical trials
    • Improve your quality of life
    Financial Assistance
    • Access $30 billion in trust funds
    • File a mesothelioma claim
    • Increase your VA benefits
    • Apply for travel grants
    Supportive Care
    • Find a support group or peer mentor
    • Get help with daily tasks
    • Explore respite care options
    • Navigate life post-treatment