A pleurodesis is done to help prevent the build-up of fluid in cases of pleural mesothelioma. An incision is made in the chest wall and a tube is fed into the chest to drain out the fluid. Once the fluid has been drained, a substance is then placed into the space to help seal it up and prevent any further build up. This fluid can be a talc slurry, and antibiotic (doxycycline) or a chemotherapy drug (bleomycin).
Find out about the challenges doctors face in treating mesothelioma patients.
