Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Surgery and Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Roswell Park Cancer Institute For more information:National Cancer Institute (NCI) RATIONALE: Photodynamic therapy uses light and drugs that make cancer cells more sensitive to light to kill cancer cells. Combining photodynamic therapy with surgery may be an effective treatment for malignant mesothelioma. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining photodynamic therapy with surgery in treating patients who have malignant mesothelioma. Condition Treatment or Intervention localized malignant mesothelioma recurrent malignant mesothelioma epithelial mesothelioma sarcomatous mesothelioma  Drug: porfimer sodium  Procedure: adjuvant therapy  Procedure: conventional surgery  Procedure: laser therapy  Procedure: photodynamic therapy  Procedure: phototherapy  Procedure: surgery This is a Phase II test In Phase II clinical trials, the study drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people (100-300) to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.   Study Type: Interventional Study Design: Treatment Official Title: Phase II Pilot Study of Surgery and Adjuvant Intracavitary Photodynamic Therapy With Large Diffuser Fibers in Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma Further Study Details:  OBJECTIVES: Determine the feasibility of adjuvant photodynamic therapy with large diffuser fibers in patients with malignant mesothelioma undergoing surgery. Compare results of this regimen in these patients to historical controls. Determine the toxic effects of this regimen in these patients. OUTLINE: This is a pilot study. Patients receive porfimer sodium IV over 5-10 minutes on day 1. Patients undergo pleurectomy or pleuropneumonectomy followed by intracavitary photodynamic therapy on day 3. Patients are followed at 1 month, every 4 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months for 3 years. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20 patients will be accrued for this study within 3 years. Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both Criteria DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant mesothelioma, including the following cell types: Mixed mesothelial Sarcomatous Stage I or II disease using the Butchart system as determined by CT scan or MRI Disease confined to 1 hemithorax No tumor involvement of esophagus or heart as evidenced by CT scan Pericardial or diaphragmatic involvement allowed if disease is limited to the ipsilateral chest N2 disease allowed if no contralateral pleural involvement No adenocarcinoma or nonmesothelioma sarcoma of the chest wall