Therapy

Malignant mesotheliomas are rare but aggressive neoplasms that arise from the pleural or peritoneal lining. Most often triggered by asbestos exposure, there is a long latency period between exposure and the clinical manifestations of the disease. The precise role of which surgical approach to utilize remains controversial, even in those patients who have limited disease, and chemotherapy combinations have had only modest efficacy at prolonging survival. Radiation therapy can often be added as part of a multimodality approach in selected patients, as well as offer a palliative benefit in controlling pain. It is hoped that advances in understanding the underlying molecular drivers will eventually lead to more efficacious therapeutic alternatives.