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.

Okuda M, Kashio M, Tanaka N, Masuno T, Kamei J, Tsuyuguchi I.

Osaka Hospital, Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Osaka Branch.

Abstract

We report a case of non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM) with pleurisy in a 75-year-old man. The patient was admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Chest radiography and CT scans revealed a tumorous shadow that increased rapidly in size despite treatment with antibiotics. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) disclosed numerous asbestos bodies, suggesting dense exposure and pulmonary silicosis. The tumorous chest shadow remained undiagnosed. Repeated microscopic examination of sputum and BALF revealed no acidophilic-bacilli. Diagnostic pneumonectomy was performed to further explore the nature of the tumorous shadow on chest radiography. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of excised lung tissue disclosed no acid-bacilli; however, the washed fluid of the tissue specimen showed acid-fast bacilli that were subsequently verified as M. avium by in vitro culture. The X-ray findings in our case were not consistent with NTM or specific for disease due to asbestos inhalation. A final diagnosis of NTM was confirmed via open biopsy of the lung. Our case suggests that in addition to tuberculosis, NTM should be taken into consideration as a complication of silicosis.

Glossary

diagnosis

identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.

biopsy

(buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.

tissue

a collection of cells, united to perform a particular function.

Neragi-Miandoab S, Winer S, Sugarbaker DJ.

New York Medical College, School of Medicine, New York, USA.

Abstract

Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy are the surgical procedures for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. However, EPP increases the risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in this patient population, which might be partly explained by increase in right heart stress after EPP. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 130 patients who were treated for malignant pleural mesothelioma with either pleurectomy or EPP between 2001 and 2003 in a single institution. Risk factors for AF were evaluated with logistic regression and the postoperative AF events were evaluated. The absence of a history of cardiac arrhythmia was an inclusion criterion. Seventy patients (excluding the 3 patients with a prior history of AF) underwent EPP and 57 patients underwent pleurectomy. The mean ages were 60+/-11 and 63+/-13, and the male to female ratios were 50/20 and 44/13, respectively. Postoperative AF was observed in 45 patients with 36 (51%) of these cases occurring after EPP and 9 (17%) after pleurectomy (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups for gender, age, side of affected lung, preoperative heart rate and history of beta-blocker use, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There were significant differences between the two groups for cancer histology (p=0.03) with the EPP group having a larger proportion of epithelial-type histology. Through logistic regression, EPP (OR=7.1, 95% CI: 2.9, 17.8) and age over 65 (OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.8) were found to be risk factors for AF. Abnormal cardiac structure and function were identified as important possible confounder, which could not be adequately evaluated due to missing data. Most of these patients had at least one additional expected risk factor for AF. EPP versus pleurectomy and age over 65 are risk factors for postoperative AF. The increased odds of having AF after EPP could be due to right heart stress caused by pneumonectomy. Increased right heart stress might not be sufficient to cause AF alone, but may be an important risk factor that warrants further investigation.

Keywords: Right heart stress; Extrapleural pneumonectomy; Pleurectomy; Atrial fibrillation.

Glossary

risk factor

anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For example, exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer, smoking is a risk factor for lung and other cancers, and a high-fat, low-fiber diet is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age, can't be changed

cancer

malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

extrapleural pneumonectomy

(EPP) surgery to remove the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and entire lung involved with the tumor. You can view a web cast from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston of this procedure being done by Dr. David Sugarbaker: see the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) web cast here.

Ribi K, Bernhard J, Schuller JC, Weder W, Bodis S, Jörger M, Betticher D, Schmid RA, Stupp R, Ris HB, Stahel RA; for the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK).

Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) Coordinating Center, Effingerstr. 40, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background: In patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma undergoing a multimodality therapy, treatment toxicity may outweigh the benefit of progression-free survival. The subjective experience across different treatment phases is an important clinical outcome. This study compares a standard with an individual quality of life (QoL) measure used in a multi-center phase II trial.

Patients and methods: Sixty-one patients with stage I–III technically operable pleural mesothelioma were treated with preoperative chemotherapy, followed by pleuropneumonectomy and subsequent radiotherapy. QoL was assessed at baseline, at day 1 of cycle 3, and 1, 3 and 6 months post-surgery by using the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) and the Schedule for the Evaluation of Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW), a measure that is based on five individually nominated and weighted QoL-domains.

Results: Completion rates were 98% (RSCL) and 92% (SEIQoL) at baseline and 98%/89% at cycle 3, respectively. Of the operated patients (N = 45) RSCL and SEIQoL were available from 86%/72%, 93%/74%, and 94%/76% at months 1, 3, and 6 post-surgery. Average assessment time for the SEIQoL was 24 min compared to 8 min needed for the RSCL. Median changes from baseline indicate that both RSCL QoL overall score and SEIQoL index remained stable during chemotherapy with a clinically significant deterioration (change ≥ 8 points) 1 month after surgery (median change of −66 and −14 for RSCL and SEIQoL, respectively). RSCL QoL overall scores improved thereafter, but remained beneath baseline level until 6 months after surgery. SEIQoL scores improved to baseline-level at month 3 after surgery, but worsened again at month 6. RSCL QoL overall score and SEIQoL index were moderately correlated at baseline (r = .30; p ≤ .05) and at 6-month follow-up (r = .42; p ≤ .05) but not at the other time points.

Conclusion: The SEIQoL assessment seems to be feasible within a phase II clinical trial, but may require more effort from staff. More distinctive QoL changes in accordance with clinical changes were measured with the RSCL. Our findings suggest that the two measures are not interchangeable: the RSCL is to favor when mainly information related to the course of disease- and treatment is of interest.

Keywords: Mesothelioma; Multimodal treatment; Individual quality of life; RSCL; SEIQoL-DW

Glossary

therapy

any of the measures taken to treat a disease. Unproven therapy is any therapy that has not been scientifically tested and approved. Use of an unproven therapy instead of standard (proven) therapy is called alternative therapy. Some alternative therapies have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. For others, the main danger is that a patient may lose the opportunity to benefit from standard therapy. Complementary therapy, on the other hand, refers to therapies used in addition to standard therapy. Some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of standard cancer therapy, or improve a patient's sense of well-being. The ACS recommends that patients considering use of any alternative or complementary therapy discuss this with their health care team.

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.

cancer

malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

multimodality therapy

an approach to therapy which utilizes a variety of treatments at once as opposed to following only one mode of treatment.

Beshay M, Carboni G, Hoksch B, Reymond MA, Schmid RA.

University Hospital of Berne, Switzerland.

Abstract

Bronchus stump insufficiency (BSI) is one of the major complications after pneumonectomy; we analyzed all patients who underwent extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in order to detect the role of muscle flap (MF) on preventing early and late stump insufficiency. From January 2000 till December 2005, there were 42 patients admitted with MPM for further intervention at our institution. 30 patients were suitable for surgery and thus received a multimodal treatment with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy using Cisplatin® and Gemcitabin (Gemzar®), EPP followed by 54 Gray (Gy) adjuvant radiotherapy. Data were collected from the surgical and oncological records. There were 37 male patients (88%), the median age was 65 years (range 40-83 years). 7 (17%) patients had concomitant diseases. 40 patients (95%) had asbestos exposition. The operative procedures were EPP with muscle flap through an anterolateral thoracotomy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done. One patient (3%) died on the 2nd postoperative day due to lung embolism. Mild complications were noticed in the early postoperative phase in 8 (25%) patients. There was no early or late stump insufficiency during the 15-month follow-up. Surgical techniques using muscle flap seems to play a major role in the prevention of bronchus stump insufficiency especially after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Keywords: Bronchus stump insufficiency; Muscle flap; Pneumonectomy; Pleural mesothelioma

Glossary

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.

Terra RM, Teixeira LR, Beyruti R, Takagaki TY, Vargas FS, Jatene FB.

Serviço de Cirurgia Torácica, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. rmterra@uol.com.br

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the experience in diagnosing and treating malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) accumulated over 5 years in a tertiary public hospital.

Methods: The medical charts of the patients diagnosed with MPM between January of 2000 and February of 2005 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Of the 17 patients analyzed, 14 were male and 3 were female. The mean age was 54.1 years (range, 13-75 years). The biopsy specimens for histopathological examination were obtained through thoracoscopy in 9 patients (53%), Cope needle in 5 (29.5%), and open pleural biopsy in 3 (17.5%). The following histological types were identified: epithelial, in 14 patients (82%); sarcomatoid, in 1 (6%); and biphasic, in 2 (12%). The therapeutic approaches used were as follows: multimodal (pleuropneumonectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy) in 6 patients (35%); chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 6 (35%); radiotherapy alone in 3 (17.5%); and chemotherapy alone in 2 (12%). The mean survival was 11 months (range, 1-26 months).

Conclusions: In the cases studied, an integrated multidisciplinary approach was used, and a highly complex hospital infrastructure was available for the diagnosis and treatment of MPM, as recommended in the literature. However, the mean survival was only 11 months, reflecting the aggressiveness of the disease.

Glossary

diagnosis

identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.

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.

biopsy

(buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

Margery J, Ruffié P.

Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital d’Instruction des Armées Percy, 101, avenue Henri-Barbusse, 92140 Clamart.

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare incurable tumor. Interest in MPM has increased in recent years due to a steadily increasing incidence subsequent to the intensive use of asbestosis, the main causal agent, but also due to better awareness in the political and scientific communities faced with a serious public health issue. Our knowledge of MPM has improved regularly in terms of pathologic diagnosis and the mechanisms underlying the mesothelial carcinogenesis. MPM is also the subject of many technological innovations as illustrated by the recent identification of new biological markers, access to metabolic imaging, and clinical research on targeted treatments. Proper management implies the participation of the general population since the implementation of administrative procedures for social indemnities. In 2007, a more aggressive therapeutic approach is becoming common practice with the use of radiotherapy and the emergence of the concept of multimodal care centered on wide pleuropneumonectomy. These advances create real hope for improvement, but also many interrogations since no standard treatment protocol has been clearly identified.

Glossary

protocol

(pro-teh-call) a formal outline or plan, such as a description of what treatments a patient will receive and exactly when each should be given.

imaging

any method used to produce a picture of internal body structures. Some imaging methods used to detect cancer are x-rays (including mammograms and CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scintigraphy, and ultrasound.

diagnosis

identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.

DES

abbreviation for diethylstilbestrola (die-eth-l-steh-BES-ter-ol),  synthetic form of estrogen.

tumor

an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

Nakas A, Martin-Ucar AE, Edwards JG, Waller DA.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK.

Abstract

Objective: Localised malignant pleural mesotheliomas are very rare and although there are sporadic reports in the literature showing that they have a different biological behaviour compared to diffuse MPM there is no major series published demonstrating results of surgical treatment. We present our experience in treating these tumours.

Methods: Over an 8-year period we performed radical or debulking surgery in 218 patients with MPM. Ten of these patients had localised chest wall tumours and a biopsy either highly suspicious or confirming malignant pleural mesothelioma. They were all male with an average age of 65.9 (56–80) years. Three of the tumours were epithelioid, three biphasic and three sarcomatoid. They all had chest wall resections, with limited lung resections where the tumours were infiltrating the lung and reconstruction using a double prolene mesh and orthopaedic cement. Perioperative events and long-term survival were analysed and survival was compared to survival
following operations for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Results: There was no 30-day mortality with only two patients suffering from pleural collections that required ultrasound guided drainage 2 and 8 weeks after the operation. Two patients died from disease progression 3 and 10 months after the operation. Using Kaplan–Meier analysis the mean survival was 56 months.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that surgery is indicated in treating localised MPM even in T4 (diffuse chest wall involvement) tumours but pleuropneumonectomy is not necessary. These tumours seem to have a different biological behaviour compared to diffuse MPM but further research, including identification of possibly different biological markers is necessary.

Keywords: Malignant pleural mesothelioma; Localised; Surgery

Glossary

mortality

a measure of the rate of death from a disease within a given population.

biopsy

(buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.

ultrasound

an imaging method in which high-frequency sound waves are used to outline a part of the body. The sound wave echoes are picked up and displayed on a television screen. Also called ultrasonography.

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

Bianchi C, Bianchi T, Tommasi M.

Centro di Studio e Documentazione sui Tumori Ambientali, Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori, Ospedale di Monfalcone, Monfalcone. legatumori1@interfree.it

Abstract

Background: The Province of Trieste, north-eastern Italy (population about 240,000), has been identified as an area with a high incidence of pleural mesothelioma.

Objectives: (i) To obtain preliminary data on the trend of the mesothelioma epidemic in the Province of Trieste during the last six years; (ii) to define the cases in terms of asbestos exposure.

Methods: Pleural mesotheliomas diagnosed at the Department of Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, Trieste University, in the period January 2001-May 2006 were reviewed. The histological diagnosis was generally based on material obtained at thoracoscopy, pleurectomy, or pleuropneumonectomy. In three cases the pathological diagnosis was made by biopsy of the thoracic wall, and in a further three cases by cytological examination of pleural fluid. Detailed occupational histories were obtained from the patients themselves at the time of first admission.

Results: The group included 99 people resident in the Province of Trieste (89 men and 10 women, aged between 43 and 89 years). On the basis of the occupational history, 95 cases were defined as asbestos-related. A majority of patients had been employed in marine work, including shipbuilding (46 cases), port activity (13 cases), and maritime trades (8 cases). Thirteen patients had worked in other industries (iron industry, petrochemical, etc.). Fourteen people had been employed in a variety of occupations (fire-fighter, lift mechanic, cinema projectionist, pastry worker, telephone technician, etc.). Five women had histories of exposure to asbestos at home. About 70% of the patients had their first exposure to asbestos before 1960. Two-thirds of the cases were exposed to asbestos for 20 years or more. Latency periods (time intervals elapsed between first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of mesothelioma) ranged from 25 to 71 years (mean 49.3, median 49.0). One patient had a history of prior thoracic irradiation for Hodgkin’s disease.

Conclusions: In the Province of Trieste the mesothelioma epidemic does not show any signs of abatement. Besides marine work, a variety of other occupations appear to be associated with the tumour in this area.

Glossary

diagnosis

identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.

biopsy

(buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

Witherby SM, Butnor KJ, Grunberg SM.

Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Vermont Cancer Center, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Given E-214, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.

Abstract

As the number of long-term cancer survivors increases, secondary malignancies are becoming a greater clinical issue. Although some of these malignancies may be related to common environmental exposures, a significant number are considered to be therapy-related. Pleural malignant mesothelioma is a neoplasm that may be related to asbestos exposure or radiation exposure. Previous reports of pleural mesothelioma as a second malignancy have tended to follow radiotherapy for extra-thoracic malignancies such as Hodgkin’s disease, breast cancer and Wilms’ tumor. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with no prior asbestos exposure who developed pleural mesothelioma 17 years after pneumonectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Opacification of the lung field from prior therapy made determination of the diagnosis more challenging. Secondary malignancies such as mesothelioma should be considered in patients who develop unexplained symptoms even long after treatment of a primary tumor.

Keywords: Malignant mesothelioma, Irradiation, Pleural mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Secondary malignancy

Glossary

therapy

any of the measures taken to treat a disease. Unproven therapy is any therapy that has not been scientifically tested and approved. Use of an unproven therapy instead of standard (proven) therapy is called alternative therapy. Some alternative therapies have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. For others, the main danger is that a patient may lose the opportunity to benefit from standard therapy. Complementary therapy, on the other hand, refers to therapies used in addition to standard therapy. Some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of standard cancer therapy, or improve a patient's sense of well-being. The ACS recommends that patients considering use of any alternative or complementary therapy discuss this with their health care team.

radiation therapy

treatment with radiation to destroy cancer cells. This type of treatment may be used to reduce the size of a cancer before surgery, to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery, or, in some cases, as the main treatment.

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.

diagnosis

identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.

cell

the basic unit of which all living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.

cancer

malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.

tumor

an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.