Thoracotomy


A thoracotomy is a conventional surgical biopsy used for diagnosing pleural mesothelioma. During this procedure, the chest cavity is opened, and tissue samples are taken for testing.

By performing a thoracotomy, surgeons gain direct access to the chest cavity, allowing them to observe the affected pleura, the site where tumors originated, and other regions to assess the extent of cancer spread. This close-up view is crucial for staging the disease and determining the feasibility of surgical intervention.