Management of malignant pleural mesothelioma
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006.
Clinics in Chest Medicine. 2006 Jun;27(2):335-54. [Link]
Sophie D. West, MBChB, MRCPa, Y.C. Gary Lee, MBChB, PhD, FCCP, FRACPab
aOxford Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
bCentre for Respiratory Research, University College London, London, UK
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is increasing in incidence globally and has no known cure. Its unique clinical feature of local infiltration along tissue planes makes it a difficult neoplasm to manage. There have been few randomized controlled trials regarding treatment options, although these have increased in recent years, and results are eagerly awaited. This article summarizes important advances in the management of mesothelioma, especially diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.
Glossary
- neoplasm
- (nee-o-plas-um) an abnormal growth (tumor) that starts from a single altered cell; a neoplasm may be benign or malignant. Cancer is a malignant neoplasm.
- tissue
- a collection of cells, united to perform a particular function.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
