Case Study 1

Advanced Students

Surgery After Chemotherapy Shows Promise for Patients With Mesothelioma

October 4, 2004
Cancerconsultants.com

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which cancer cells arise within the lining of the chest wall. It is often associated with asbestos exposure and may develop many years after exposure. Prognosis depends on how early the cancer is found and how aggressively it is treated. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Long-term survival for patients with mesothelioma remains dismal and research is ongoing in order to attempt to improve survival for these patients.

One type of therapy being evaluated in the treatment of mesothelioma is neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The idea behind neoadjuvant chemotherapy is to shrink the cancer prior to surgery so that more of the cancer may be removed. In addition, some experts believe that neoadjuvant chemotherapy may kill cancer cells that have spread in the body immediately, versus waiting for a patient to complete surgery and become medically fit enough to tolerate chemotherapy.

Reference: Weder W, Kestenholz P, Taverna C, et al. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Extrapleural Pneumonectomy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2004;22: 3451-3457.

Focus Questions:

What is Mesothelioma?

What does it do to your body?

What causes Mesothelioma?

What are 3 new treatments?

What countries is it common in?

Why are lawyers involved?