Mesothelioma: treatment
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008.
Revue des Maladies Respiratoires. 2008 Oct;25(8 Pt 2):3S191-5. [Link]
Berghmans T.
Département des Soins Intensifs et Oncologie Thoracique, Institut Jules-Bordet (Centre des Tumeurs de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles), 1 Rue Héger-Bordet, Brussels, Belgium. thierry.berghmanns@bordet.be
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour of poor prognosis. Available therapeutics have restricted efficacy. Pleuro-pneumonectomy is the only treatment with curative intent but it could be offered to a limited and well selected group of patients. The role of radiotherapy is palliative and its preventive role on malignant seeding after invasive procedures is controversial. There are few active cytotoxic drugs in this disease. Currently, based on two randomised trials, the most efficacious chemotherapy regimen consists in a combination of cisplatin and an antifolate agent, pemetrexed or raltitrexed.
Keywords: Mesothelioma, Surgery, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy
Glossary
- regimen
- (rej-uh-men) a strict, regulated plan (such as diet, exercise, or other activity) designed to reach certain goals. In cancer treatment, a plan to treat cancer.
- prognosis
- (prog-no-sis) a prediction of the course of disease; the outlook for the cure of the patient. For example, women with breast cancer that was detected early and who received prompt treatment have a good prognosis.
- cytotoxic
- (site-o-tox-ik) toxic to cells; cell-killing.
- DES
- abbreviation for diethylstilbestrola (die-eth-l-steh-BES-ter-ol), synthetic form of estrogen.
- chemotherapy
- (key-mo-THER-uh-pee) treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used with surgery or radiation to treat cancer when the cancer has spread, when it has come back (recurred), or when there is a strong chance that it could recur.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
- pemetrexed
- chemotheraputic agent that interferes with a crucial process that allows cancer cells to reproduce and spread. Specifically, pemetrexed stops the production of three enzymes that are required to feed the cancer cell. Often used in combination with cisplatin. Marketed under the name ALIMTA. See: Alimta.
