Current concepts in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but lethal cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Worldwide, the incidence of MPM is expected to increase over the next 20 years. The molecular and genetic profiling of MPM tumors and patients, and improved understanding of the pathogenesis of MPM may lead to novel diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic strategies. Treatment options for MPM remain limited and no consensus exists at this time. Multimodality therapy that combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation offers the best chance for long-term survival in select patients.

An electronic nose distinguishes exhaled breath of patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma from controls

“…MPM is hard to diagnose because symptoms occur considerable time after initial asbestos exposure. Moreover, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are not typical and can be mistaken for less threatening diseases such as pneumonia [3,4]. Therefore, patients are often diagnosed not early enough for curative treatment [3,4].…”

“…Moreover, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are not typical and can be mistaken for less threatening diseases such as pneumonia [3,4]. Therefore, patients are often diagnosed not early enough for curative treatment [3,4]. The diagnosis of MPM very often requires invasive thoracoscopy, and that is why current research attempts are focusing on novel tests for the early detection of MPM [5].…”

Mesotelioma pleural maligno

“…La diseminación típica es mediante invasión local. El mesotelioma pleural maligno es ligeramente más frecuente en el lado derecho que en el izquierdo, probablemente debido al mayor tamaño del espacio pleural derecho 6,7 .…”

Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for malignant mesothelioma: an update

“…Moreover, MM, in general, is poorly responsive to current therapies, but this is especially true in advanced stages of the disease. Monotherapy and combination therapy have been widely investigated for the treatment of MM however, all therapeutic strategies failed to significantly benefit patients so far (25)(26)(27)(28). On the other hand, it has been shown that when patients are diagnosed and treated at an early stage (stage I) of MM, the overall median survival is significantly improved (29,30).…”