Abstract
The management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is controversial and is often
viewed nihilistically because of the relative inefficacy of standard therapeutic modalities
in this disease. However, a new international staging system, the development of novel
treatment strategies, and ongoing prospective clinical trials provide hope of improving
the currently poor survival rates of MPM. Surgical resection with adjuvant radiation
and/or chemotherapy has modestly improved local control and survival. New treatments
including photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy are being evaluated.
Future treatment regimens will need to be multimodal in approach and take into consideration
tumor stage and histology.
Key Words:
mesothelioma - staging - treatment
