There are three main methods of treatment for mesothelioma. The standard treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Sometimes more than one treatment is necessary, and the treatments are combined.

The particular treatment administered will depend on the patients particular diagnosis, such as the location of the cancer, the age and physical well-being of the patient, and the stage of advancement of the disease.

Surgery is the most common treatment for mesothelioma. For pleural mesothelioma, the surgeon may remove the lung, and sometimes part of the diaphragm. For peritoneal mesothelioma, part of the lining of the chest or abdomen may be removed.

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body, and, in the case of mesothelioma, these are normally administered intravenously. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, and affects cells only in the treated area.

Clinical trials designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments are on-going.