Medical management of mesothelioma

摘要: Mesothelioma is a malignant tumour of pleura and other serosal tissues. It arises many years after asbestos exposure. There currently no highly effective therapy the median survival approximately 10-12 months from diagnosis. Most patients cannot be treated surgically due to advanced stage disease at diagnosis or are unfit for radical surgery. New antifolate drugs (pemetrexed raltitrexed) in combination with platinum associated longer than alone, an increase which averages about three months. Radiation limited by its toxicity underlying lung, but newer field dose planning methods under investigation. presents major challenges palliative management dyspnoea, pain, cancer cachexia syndrome.