Induction chemotherapy, extrapleural pneumonectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Surgical Management and Reconstruction of Diaphragm, Pericardium and Chest Wall in Mesothelioma Surgery: A Review

Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease arising from parietal pleura. Surgery is a valuable option in the frame of a multimodality treatment. Several surgical approaches have been standardized with the aim of a macroscopic complete resection; these often require homolateral diaphragm and pericardial resection and reconstruction. Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and extended pleurectomy decortication (EPD) have been recognized as radical surgical procedures. Nevertheless, both operations are technically challenging and associated with a significant rate of peri-operative morbidity and non-negligible mortality. The diaphragmatic and pericardial reconstruction technique is mandatory to avoid respiratory impairment and to reduce post-operative complications like gastric and cardiac herniation. Moreover, in the case of localized chest wall recurrence, surgery might be considered a valuable therapeutical option for highly selected and fit patients. All the technical aspects of the resection and reconstruction of the diaphragm, pericardium, and chest wall are described as well as the possible use of new minimally invasive techniques. In addition, the choice of different prosthetic materials, considering the most recent innovations in the field, are discussed.

Landmark Trials in the Surgical Management of Mesothelioma

The treatment of mesothelioma has evolved slowly over the last 20 years. While surgery as a standalone treatment has fallen out of favor, the importance of multimodality treatment consisting of combinations of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have become more common in operable, fit patients. In this review, we discuss trials in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation that have shaped contemporary multimodality treatment of this difficult malignancy, and we touch on the new and emerging immunotherapeutic and targeted agents that may change the future treatment of this disease. We also review the multimodality treatment regimens, with particular attention to trimodality therapy and neoadjuvant hemithoracic radiation strategies.

Extrapleural pneumonectomies for pleural mesothelioma

Introduction: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a fatal malignancy for which there is no definitive cure. The most effective multimodality treatment in prolonging survival is still matter of debate. Surgery remains one of the cornerstones in the multimodality therapy for MPM. Extra-pleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication are the two main curative-intent procedures; however, the superiority of one technique over the other is still debated. This review aims to assess short- and long-term results of extrapleural pneumonectomy for MPM.Areas covered: This article focuses on the role of extrapleural pneumonectomy in MPM. A systematic review was performed by using electronic databases to identify studies that included patients treated by this procedure for MPM. Endpoints included overall survival, disease-free survival, recurrence rate, perioperative mortality, and morbidity.Expert commentary: This paper offers an overview of the results that are currently obtained in patients undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy for MPM. The benefit of surgical treatments in MPM is still debated and its primary goal should be the achievement of a macroscopic complete resection. Several alternative multimodality protocols exist, with specific advantages and drawbacks; therefore, individualization of care for each patient is fundamental. The complexity of the surgical treatment mandates that patients be referred to specialized centers.

Extra-pleural pneumonectomy in the era of image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To assess the outcome of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients treated with extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), using the most advanced radiotherapeutic techniques, namely image-guided intensity-modulated RT (IG-IMRT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Fifty-four patients were analyzed. Minimum radiation dose was 50 Gy (2 Gy/fr). Planning target volume encompassed the entire hemithorax, including the ipsilateral mediastinum if interested by disease, the pericardium and diaphragm, and any drain sites. The study endpoints included loco-regional control (LRC), distant metastases free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS), as well as radiation-related toxicity.

RESULTS

Major patients and treatment characteristics were the following: median age 62 years, epithelioid histology in 51 (94%) cases, locally advanced disease in 41 (90%) cases, and metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes in 27 patients (50%). Only 7 patients (13%) had gross residual disease after surgery. Chemotherapy was administered in 38 patients (70%). Median follow-up was 16 months (range 0-73 months). Median and 2-year OS were 21 months and was 43.8%, respectively. The predominant pattern of failure was distant: 34 patients (62.9%) developed some component of distant failure, and only 5 patients (9.2%) developed an isolated loco-regional recurrence. The estimates of LRC and DMFS at 2 years were 63.4% and 43.4%, respectively. Three fatal pneumonitis were documented. Other major toxicities included: Grade 2 and 3 pneumonitis in 1 and 2 cases, respectively, 1 case of bronchial fistula, pleural empyema, and Grade 3 esophagitis, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although executed in the era of high-technology radiotherapy (IG-IMRT), EPP should not be routinely performed.