Lung-sparing radical pleurectomy with intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) demonstrates remarkable survival for patients with pleural mesothelioma. Nevertheless, most patients treated with this multimodal approach will develop local tumor recurrence. An understanding of potential causes of treatment failure is central to developing mitigation … [Read more...]
Diagnostic Differentiation Between Two Rare Entities—Metastatic Peritoneal Mesothelioma With Duodenal Involvement and Duodenal Synovial Sarcoma: A Case Report
Abstract: This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges in distinguishing between metastatic peritoneal mesothelioma with duodenal involvement and synovial sarcoma of the duodenum, two rare and complex entities. A 59-year-old woman presented with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, and imaging revealed a heterogeneous lesion between the right … [Read more...]
Multimodality Therapy Including Pleurectomy/Decortication in Pleural Mesothelioma: Long-Term Outcomes in 152 Consecutive Patients A Retrospective Cohort Study
Objective: Evaluate the long-term outcomes of pleurectomy decortication, systemic chemotherapy and prophylactic radiotherapy in pleural mesothelioma (PM). Summary background data: There is no known cure for PM and cytoreductive surgery remains controversial. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients treated consecutively … [Read more...]
Recent Advances in Mesothelioma Treatment: Immunotherapy, Advanced Cell Therapy, and Other Innovative Therapeutic Modalities
Mesothelioma is a malignant condition arising from the pleura and peritoneum that is closely related to asbestos exposure [1]. Due to the prolonged time needed for one to fully develop mesothelioma, difficulty in diagnosing this condition early, its quick progression once manifested, and the limited [ mesothelioma treatment ] options, the prognosis … [Read more...]
Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma: ASCO Guideline Update
Since the initial [American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO)] clinical practice guideline on the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (PM) was published in 2018, considerable progress has been made which has changed not only the management but even the name of this disease. This guideline update focuses on four key areas: the role of … [Read more...]
The presence of pleural effusion is an independent prognostic factor in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma
Abstract: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare form of thoracic malignancy with a poor prognosis. Pleural effusion (PE) occurs in the majority of patients with MPM; however, its impact on MPM outcomes remains controversial. We searched for eligible patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and … [Read more...]
Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma: A Challenge in Early Diagnosis
Abstract: We present the clinical case of a 58-year-old female patient, a smoker with occupational exposure to respiratory toxins, who was admitted to our clinic following evaluation in an emergency department, where she was diagnosed with a moderate right pleural effusion. Upon admission, the patient exhibited respiratory symptoms, including … [Read more...]
Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline
Introduction The purpose of this guideline is to provide recommendations for the management of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. In the United States, about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The median overall survival of patients with advanced surgically unresectable disease is … [Read more...]
Immunotherapy for Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma: Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare malignancy associated with asbestos exposure and very poor prognosis, with a 5-year overall survival of 12%. Outcomes may vary according to stage at time of diagnosis and histologic subtype. Most recently, clinical trials utilizing dual checkpoint inhibitor regimens and chemotherapy in combination with immune … [Read more...]
FDA Approves Pembrolizumab Plus Chemo for Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The FDA has approved [ Keytruda (pembrolizumab) ] plus pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy in the frontline treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma. Data from the phase 2/3 KEYNOTE-483 study (NCT02784171) showed that [ Keytruda (pembrolizumab) ] plus chemotherapy (n = 222) significantly … [Read more...]