Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy that arises primarily from the pleura. The pleura is a thin, dual-layer covering that protects the lungs. Mesothelioma accounts for approximately 2% of all malignant tumors3. Malignant pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 70% of all cases of this disease3. The incidence of mesothelioma in the general population is approximately 0.01%3 or about 1 in 10,000. Cigarette smoking combined with asbestos exposure has shown a synergistic effect in the formation of bronchoalveolar carcinomas, but not with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma develops with a significant delay after asbestos exposure of approximately 30 to 40 years.Treatment of mesothelioma has traditionally involved combined therapies based upon disease stage. In the past, a major limiting factor for increased long-term survival was an inability to control local disease progression after surgery. The role of radiation therapy was also limited due to the inability of local organs to tolerate radiation therapy. However, with the introduction of IMRT, radiation doses may now be tightly conformed to the disease area, thus reducing toxicity to adjacent healthy organs. Surgical removal of the disease via extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) combined with IMRT has shown promising results in improving local disease control and overall survival.
Excerpt from Original Article
Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer By Jason Shoales, Medical Physicist, Certified by The American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiological Physics
Bibliography
1. Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. American cancer Society; [http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/500809web.pdf]
2. Ruckdeschel, J. C. Myths & Facts about lung cancer: What You Need to Know. Manhasset, NY: CMPMedica; 2007. P. 1-17.
3. Coia, L. R.; Moylan, D. J. Introduction to Clinical Radiation Oncology. 3rd ed. Madison, WI: Medical Physics Publishing; 1998. P. 217-241.
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