Before your operation for mesothelioma surgery

Tests to check you are fit for surgery

You have tests before your operation to check:

• your fitness for an anaesthetic

• that you'll make a good recovery from surgery

You might not need all of these tests if you had them when you were diagnosed. Tests include:

• blood tests to check your general health and how well your liver and kidneys are working

• an ECG and echocardiogram to check that your heart is healthy

• breathing tests (called lung function tests)

• a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy

• a CT of your chest, tummy and pelvis to check your lungs and other organs in this area 

• a PET or CT scan to make sure there isn't cancer elsewhere in your body

• an MRI scan of your brain to check for cancer spread 

Lung function tests

Lung function tests measure how well your lungs take in oxygen. Your specialist needs to be sure that your lungs are working well enough for you to recover from your surgery.

There are different types of lung function test. The simplest involves you breathing out as hard as you can into a tube attached to a machine. This measures how much air your lungs can take in.

Lung ventilation and perfusion scan

You might have another type of lung function test called a lung ventilation perfusion (VQ) scan. This includes two tests to check the:

• circulation of air in your lungs called ventilation

• blood supply to your lungs called perfusion

In the lung ventilation test, you may have to breathe in a very small and harmless amount of radioactive gas. This shows up your airways on a scan. The radioactivity involved is very small and goes away within a couple of hours.

In the lung perfusion test, you have an injection of a small amount of a harmless radioactive substance. This shows up the blood flowing to your lungs on a scan. It also shows how important each lung is to your overall breathing capacity.

Heart and lung exercise test

You might have a test that checks how well your heart and lungs work when you are resting and exercising. This is called cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET or CPEX).

You wear a mask that measures the levels of particular gases in your breath. Your blood pressure and heart rate are also monitored.

First you rest. Then you walk on a treadmill or cycle on an exercise bike for as long as you can. A computer monitors your breath gases and how well your heart is working.

For two hours before the test you shouldn't eat, smoke, drink caffeine drinks or have other stimulants. You should also avoid physical exercise and breathing cold air.

Pre assessment clinic

Your pre assessment appointment prepares you for your operation. You meet members of your treatment team and you might sign the consent form to agree to the operation.

Ask lots of questions. It helps to write down all your questions beforehand to take with you. The more you know about what is going to happen, the less frightening it will seem.

You can ask more questions when you go into hospital so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.

At the hospital you might meet:

The surgeon

A member of the surgical team will tell you about:

• the operation you are going to have

• the benefits of having surgery

• the possible risks

• what to expect afterwards

The anaesthetist

The anaesthetist gives you the anaesthetic and looks after you during the operation. They make sure you’re fit enough for the surgery.

The clinical nurse specialist

This nurse checks what help and support you have to see what you will need when you go home. They are your point of contact and care for you throughout your treatment. In preparation for surgery, a nurse may also check your:

• general health

• weight

• blood pressure

• pulse

• temperature

The physiotherapist

The physiotherapist assesses how well you can move around. They let the doctors know if there is anything that could affect your recovery.

The physiotherapist also teaches you leg and breathing exercises to do after your operation. These will help with your recovery. Learning how to do the exercises beforehand makes it easier afterwards.

The dietitian

The dietitian looks at how cancer has affected your appetite and weight. They can give you advice about your diet and might suggest you take food supplements.

Learning breathing and leg exercises

Breathing exercises help to stop you from getting a chest infection after surgery. If you smoke, it helps if you can stop at least a few weeks before your operation.

Leg exercises help to stop blood clots forming in your legs. You might also have medicines to stop the blood from clotting. You have them as small injections under the skin.

You start the injections after your operation. You might also wear anti embolism stockings or have pumps on your calves to help the circulation.

Your nurse and physiotherapist will get you up out of bed quite quickly after your surgery. This is to help prevent chest infections and blood clots forming.

This 3 minute video shows you how to do the breathing and leg exercises.

Before you go into hospital

It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:

• taking time off work

• care for children or other loved ones

• care for your pets

• care for your house

• cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries

What to take with you

Take in:

• nightgowns or pyjamas

• underwear

• dressing gown

• slippers

• contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case

• wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste etc

• sanitary wear or tampons

• towel

• small amount of money

• medicines you normally take

• magazines, books, playing cards

• headphones and music to listen to

• a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls

• chargers for electronic devices

• a copy of your last clinic letter (if you have one)

Family and friends

Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:

• whether the ward is allowing visitors

• if they have set visiting times

• the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are

The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.

You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.

The evening before

You might go into hospital the evening before or the morning of your surgery.

Your nurse might give you a carbohydrate-rich drink to have the evening before the operation. You might also have it the following morning. The drink gives you energy and can speed up your recovery.

When you're in hospital your nurse will check your:

• blood pressure

• pulse

• temperature

• breathing rate

You might have fluids through a drip (intravenous infusion) into your arm. This is usually if you have been finding it difficult to drink.

Time in hospital

You are likely to be in hospital for between 7 to 15 days depending on the type of operation you have and your recovery.

Read more about what happens on the day