- Patients will undergo cytoreductive surgery, which entails the removal of the inner and outer lining of the lung (pleurectomy/decortication) with or without the lung itself (extrapleural pneumonectomy), including the lining overlying the pericardium and diaphragm. Resection of the pericardium and diaphragm are occasionally necessary to remove all visable tumor. This surgery is part of standard care for malignant pleural mesothelioma.