Malignant pleural mesothelioma: Two cases in first degree relatives

Lung Cancer. 2007 Mar 30; [Epub ahead of print] [Link]

Anna Wilkins^a, Sanjay Popat^a, Sarah Hughes^a and
Mary O’Brien^a
aDepartment of Medical Oncology, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, SURREY SM2 5PT, United Kingdom
Received 18 July 2006; revised 1 February 2007; accepted 8 February 2007. Available online 2 April 2007.

Abstract

We report two cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma in first degree relatives arising within weeks of each other. The patients had a shared exposure to asbestos and age difference of over 20 years at time of presentation. In both cases, the anatomical pattern was similar and unusual for mesothelioma and initial histology was reported for both as non-small cell lung cancer. Both patients were treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

Keywords: Malignant mesothelioma; Non-small cell lung cancer; Platinum-based combination chemotherapy

Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; RECIST, response evaluation criteria in solid tumors; NF2, neurofibromatosis 2