For patients diagnosed with stage 2 mesothelioma, the options become more limited. Generally, at this point the disease has metastasized to the point of affecting the lungs and surrounding body tissue. In these cases, the success rate for surgical removal of the tumor is lower and most doctors recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy. At this point in time, the treatment goal for many doctors is to slow the progression and spread of the disease so the patient has the least amount of pain possible and can enjoy a better quality of life.