A pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) and an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) are both surgeries used in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, but there are key differences between the two.
In a P/D, only the cancerous pleura (lung lining) is removed, preserving the lung and potentially leading to a quicker recovery.
An EPP involves the removal of the entire lung along with both layers of the pleura. This allows more of the cancer to be removed, but it may impact your lung capacity and make recovery more challenging.
A doctor can help determine which mesothelioma surgery is best in your case after considering your overall health, cancer stage, and other factors.