Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)
Mesothelioma Guide » Mesothelioma Treatment Options » Mesothelioma Surgery » Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)
The extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a surgical procedure that removes the entire affected lung in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The EPP extends life expectancy and improves a patientʼs quality of life.
Surgery for Pleural Mesothelioma
The extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) was the first surgical treatment option developed for pleural mesothelioma and it significantly increased survival rates among patients diagnosed with this aggressive cancer.
The surgery is generally used in patients whose tumors have grown beyond the parietal (outer) and visceral (inner) pleura into the lung tissue but is still contained to the lung itself with no effect on distant lymph nodes.
Key Points About the EPP
Surgical Development
The extrapleural pneumonectomy was developed over a 30 year period by the late Dr. David Sugarbaker, during his time at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Eligible Candidates
An ideal candidate for the EPP is a patient with stage 1 or 2 diagnosis who is in generally good health and has adequate heart, lung, and liver function.
Life Expectancy
A study conducted by Dr. Sugarbaker concluded patients who underwent an EPP surgery had a median life expectancy of 18 months. Another study from 2014 found that 39% of patients lived longer than 2 years with no local recurrence.
Get Connected to an EPP Specialist

Our free Doctor Match program can help you find the best EPP specialist for you. Our patient advocate team will learn about your pleural mesothelioma diagnosis and pair you with a doctor whose expertise fits your stage and cell type.
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Surgical Procedure
Before the procedure begins, the patient is placed under general anesthesia, and an endotracheal tube is inserted in the trachea. This keeps the airway to the healthy lung open and collapses the diseased lung so that it can be removed. The time it takes to complete the procedure varies with each patient, but EPPs have been completed in as few as three hours.
5 Steps of an Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
- 1Incision — The surgeon makes an incision along the side of the chest, extending roughly 7-8 inches.
- 2Extrapleural dissection–The pleura and pericardium are separated from the diaphragm and the chest wall.
- 3Division of pulmonary vessels — Blood vessels and arteries supplying the affected lung are severed and redirected.
- 4Removal of the affected areas — The pleura, pericardium, diaphragm, affected lymph nodes, and lung is removed.
- 5Reconstruction — The removed linings are reconstructed with Gore-Tex, which is a breathable, waterproof, and pliable material used in the surgical reconstruction.
In cases where intraoperative chemotherapy therapy is used, heated chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the chest cavity after removal of the lung and before reconstruction.
It creates the ability to apply much higher doses of chemotherapy without causing substantial side effects associated with systemic chemotherapy, which passes through the entire body. The purpose of this procedure is to kill any remaining microscopic mesothelioma cells left behind in the chest cavity that could not be removed surgically.
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Jodi Page is a survivor of stage 2 epithelioid mesothelioma for over 17 years.

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Who is Eligible for an EPP?
Patients are carefully evaluated and must meet several criteria before they are considered for an EPP. The first and most important factor in determining eligibility is that patients must be healthy enough, to not only undergo surgery but also to withstand the recovery process with a single lung.
According to Brigham and Womenʼs Hospital, overall health and normal body function is a far more important factor than age. If a patient is over 65 but has been maintaining an active lifestyle before their diagnosis, then they may be eligible for surgery.
Having healthy, normal heart function is crucial since the heart and lungs work together to support the breathing process. Normal kidney and liver function are also required.
Patient Eligibility Tests
- Chest X-rays
- CAT (CT) Scans of the chest and abdomen
- Pulmonary function tests (PFT)
- Quantitative ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q Scan)
- Echocardiogram (ECHO)
- Blood chemistry tests
- Pleural biopsy
Diagnosis is also an important factor in selecting patients for an EPP. This surgery is typically performed on patients in early stages of pleural mesothelioma where the tumor is contained to the pleura and lung.
The purpose of the surgery is to prevent the cancer from spreading. Therefore, if it has already spread, the risks associated with the surgery might outweigh the potential benefits.
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Recovering From EPP
Following an EPP surgery, patients are likely to feel sleepy due to the anesthetic, feel nauseated, and have a sore throat caused by the breathing tube used during surgery, which can last for a few days. Hospital recovery time is, on average, about two weeks.
During this time, patients are cared for around the clock and work with physiotherapists on deep breathing exercises and shoulder exercises to prevent post-operative complications and prepare them for exercises that should be continued at home.
Immediately following the surgery, the patient is placed on a respirator to help the healthy lung adjust to handling the entire respiratory process. An epidural catheter is often placed to help with pain control.
After Surgery Patients Are Monitored For:
- Blood pressure
- Pulse
- Temperature
- Breathing
- Blood-Oxygen level
- Pain
Out-patient Recovery
Recovery at home lasts between 6-8 weeks. During this time, patients are advised to keep up with minor exercises but not to push themselves beyond their limits. As with any surgery, the body needs time to adjust to the changes.
Breathing and walking exercises are resumed at home and the level of activity can be gradually increased over time. Patients may still feel short of breath for a few months after surgery.
Mike Dews was a patient of Dr. Sugarbaker. He underwent the EPP procedure and survived for an amazing 10 years. Regarding his surgery he said:
“My recovery from the surgery was difficult. Learning to breathe with one lung was difficult. But it did move along, and I was able to start walking. I was actually swinging the golf clubs within 100 days after my surgery.”
The recovery process can be difficult for many patients both physically and emotionally. Recovery is more successful when patients are willing to accept support from family, friends, and caregivers.
Jodi Page

Jodi Page was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma when she was 26 years old. Her left lung was completely removed, along with the pleura, pericardium and a section of her diaphragm.She celebrated her 30th birthday by skydiving, demonstrating the success of her operation.
“I knew I was a fighter and could handle whatever happened.”
Key Benefits of EPP
Over the years, the EPP has produced favorable results for improved breathing quality and life expectancy in patients with pleural mesothelioma. Though there now exists another surgical procedure known as a Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D), which has become favored by some doctors given the more open eligibility criteria, the EPP remains the most extensive surgical treatment for mesothelioma.
Of course, like any radical surgical procedure, it does have its risks. This is why the EPP has strict eligibility that must be met before patients can be considered candidates for surgery.
Risks Associated with Surgery
During the 1970ʼs, when the EPP was introduced, the mortality rate was around 30%. However, the rates have significantly decreased since then, hovering between 5% and 8%.
Typical EPP Risks
- Internal bleeding
- Respiratory failure
- Pneumonia
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary edema
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cancer centers that employ mesothelioma specialists or ones that have dedicated mesothelioma research centers are more likely to have lower mortality rates than the reported average. As with any major surgery, these risks are mitigated by experienced specialists and hospital staff who have a long history of treating mesothelioma.
Top Cancer Centers
Get information on top cancer centers, including:
- 1
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, MA
2Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
3University of California Los Angeles Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Finding Surgical Treatment in VA Healthcare System
For veterans seeking treatment through the VA, it is important to find a specialist in the VA Healthcare System with experience treating mesothelioma. Since most oncologists generally don’t have experience identifying or operating on mesothelioma patients, choosing the right doctor is vital. Oftentimes, veterans are incorrectly told they are ineligible for procedures like the EPP because of their general oncologist’s lack of experience.
Some of the benefits of seeing a specialist through the VA may include:
- Access to specialized treatments, such as the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), that may not be offered by general oncologists.
- Financial assistance for travel and lodging.
- Qualification for cost-free treatment or the option for private health insurance to reduce or eliminate copay.
There are many general oncologists in the VA, but only two mesothelioma specialists. One of them has experience with pleural mesothelioma surgeries like extrapleural pneumonectomy: Dr. Hassan Khalil at the Boston VA.
Dr. Khalil is an experienced mesothelioma specialist who also serves patients at the nearby Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which collaborates with the Boston VA in treating mesothelioma patients.
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Common Questions About Extrapleural Pneumonectomy for Mesothelioma
What happens during an extrapleural pneumonectomy?
An extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing your lung, pleura (thin lining covering your lungs), diaphragm, pericardium (thin lining encompassing your heart) and diseased lymph nodes. A pneumonectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a lung, but mesothelioma often spreads to other areas needing to be removed as well.
What is the survival for mesothelioma extrapleural pneumonectomy?
In one study, more than 60% of mesothelioma patients survived for one year after an extrapleural pneumonectomy. Around one-fourth survived for three years. The extreme nature of removing your lung, diaphragm, lymph nodes and pleura decreases the likelihood of a recurrence.
What are the risks of having an extrapleural pneumonectomy?
Lung resection is a challenge for patients, especially those in older age or poor health. Not all patients enjoy a good quality of life with just one lung. They may experience breathing issues, pneumonia or other pulmonary complications. Other risks of an extrapleural pneumonectomy include:
- Infection
- Internal bleeding
- Blood clots
How long does an extrapleural pneumonectomy take?
Extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma lasts approximately two hours. There is little variance in the time the surgery takes, as most doctors remove the same organs and body areas.
What is the recovery time for an extrapleural pneumonectomy?
Patients usually stay in the hospital for around one week after an extrapleural pneumonectomy. Recovery continues for 6-8 weeks at home. The overall recovery time is two months, but some patients may need physical therapy to rehab their respiratory system after losing a lung.
How much does an extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma cost?
An extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma costs a median of $62,400, according to a report in Rare Tumors. The range is $48,000-$76,000. Health Insurance often covers most of the costs after the plan’s deductible.
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