Loading...
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), typically a result of asbestos exposure, is a rapidly progressing malignancy that is associated with poor outcomes. Surgical resection options range from pleurectomy to limited resection to extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), yet all are associated with high rates of local recurrence. Hemithoracic radiation therapy (HRT) after EPP reduces local recurrence rates but fails to improve survival, as most patients develop distant metastases. Chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed (Alimta) has been shown to improve survival in patients with unresectable disease (J Clin Oncol 2003; 21:2636).
To investigate the effects of trimodality therapy for MPM, Canadian researchers conducted a single-center, retrospective…