How can radiation therapy work to get rid of mesothelioma cancer?

Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor arising from the lining of the lung or peritoneum. Because the tumor often occupies a broader area that can easily spread, radiation is an attempt to treat the field (the tumor and its surroundings, often contaminated by tumor). Radiation causes additional mutations in rapidly dividing cells with the hope it stops further growth and spread.

Depends: Surgery is often the first treatment in managing mesothelioma. Radiation can be used to treat the areas that the surgeon couldn't remove entirely or had concern that the margins of resection were close. Some also use it to treat areas that might have residual mesothelioma cell contamination (i.e. Biopsy sites, chest tube sites).