Essential Questions to ask if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma ***IMPORTANT***

Mesothelioma Surgery Side Effects

Posted on: March 7, 2024 *Updated on: May 27, 2024

Mesothelioma surgery, like any surgical intervention, carries the potential for various side effects. These side effects can range from common issues, such as pain and bleeding, to more serious complications, including heart complications and infections. Understanding these risks is crucial for patients and their families to make informed decisions about their treatment options.

Anesthesia Complications

  • Risk Factors: Age, overall health, and reactions to medications can influence the likelihood of complications from anesthesia.
  • Management: Close monitoring during and after surgery, pre-surgical evaluations to identify risks.

Bleeding

  • Risk Factors: The extent of surgery, pre-existing conditions like coagulation disorders.
  • Management: Careful surgical techniques, blood transfusions if necessary.

Blood Clots

  • Risk Factors: Long surgical times, immobility post-surgery.
  • Management: Use of anticoagulants, physical therapy to encourage movement.

Damage to Nearby Tissues

  • Risk Factors: Location of the mesothelioma, complexity of the surgery.
  • Management: Precise surgical methods, post-operative care to monitor and manage any accidental damage.

Digestive Problems

  • Risk Factors: Effects of anesthesia, stress from surgery.
  • Management: Dietary adjustments, medications to ease symptoms.

Fatigue

  • Risk Factors: Body’s response to surgery and healing, additional treatments like chemotherapy.
  • Management: Rest, nutrition, gradual return to activity.

Heart Complications

  • Risk Factors: Pre-existing heart conditions, strain from surgery.
  • Management: Monitoring during surgery, post-operative cardiac care.

Infection

  • Risk Factors: Surgical environment, immune response.
  • Management: Sterile techniques during surgery, antibiotics, wound care.

Pain

  • Risk Factors: Surgical incisions, tissue manipulation.
  • Management: Pain management strategies, including medications and non-pharmacological approaches.

Pneumonia

  • Risk Factors: Respiratory complications, immobility.
  • Management: Respiratory therapy, encouragement of movement, antibiotics if infection is present.

Respiratory Problems

  • Risk Factors: Nature of mesothelioma affecting the lungs, post-operative recovery process.
  • Management: Supportive care, oxygen therapy, respiratory exercises.

Patients facing mesothelioma surgery should engage in detailed discussions with their oncology teams to understand the potential side effects related to their specific case. These discussions should cover not only the risks but also the strategies in place to manage any complications should they arise. Post-surgical care is a critical component of recovery, aimed at minimizing side effects and improving the patient’s quality of life.