One of the greatest challenges faced by researchers working towards a mesothelioma cure is the extreme rarity of the disease: doctors often pursue a course of treatment without robust data to support their choice. To counter this, a group of Japanese researchers decided to conduct a clinical trial investigating the outcomes of the preferred protocol for pleural mesothelioma patients with resectable tumors. They found that the procedure delivered acceptable survival, with almost all patients recovering preoperative pulmonary function.
Chemotherapy Before Surgery Top Choice for Mesothelioma Physicians
When a patient is diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, their physician assesses their condition to determine the best options available and helps the patient decide which best meets their personal goals. If their tumors are accessible, their choices generally include undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink them followed by surgery to remove them.
Despite this being one of the most frequently pursued protocols, very few studies have been conducted to gauge its long-term results. The Japan Mesothelioma Interest Group embarked on a prospective clinical trial to supplement available information, gathering information on 24 malignant pleural mesothelioma patients treated at multiple institutions.
Two Dozen Mesothelioma Patients Followed for Results of Treatment
Though not all 24 patients originally enrolled in the study completed the course of the treatment, most of them did. The trial found that 90% of patients achieved complete macroscopic resection of their tumors with no 30- or 90-day mortality. Importantly, it also revealed an overall survival rate after one year of 95%, a 70% survival rate after two years, and a 3.45-year median overall survival. Disease progression after one year was 33.3% and 61.1% after two years, with a median time to progression of 1.71 years.
Pulmonary function is a key measure that is directly related to quality of life for mesothelioma patients. The researchers found that patients recovered 78% of pre-operative pulmonary function after their surgery.
If you or someone you love needs information on available mesothelioma treatment options, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 for more information.
