Radiation therapy in the management of patients with mesothelioma

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(82)90379-0· OSTI ID:6716533

Gordon, W Jr; Antman, K H; Greenberger, J S; Weichselbaum, R R; Chaffey, J T

The results of radiation therapy in the management of 27 patients with malignant mesothelioma were reviewed. Eight patients were treated with a curative intent combining attempted surgical excision of tumor (thoracic in 6 and peritoneal in 2), aggressive radiation therapy, and combination chemotherapy using an adriamycin-containing regimen. One patient achieved a 2-year disease-free inteval followed by recurrence of tumor above the thoracic irradiation field. This patient was retreated with localized irradiation and is disease-free after 5 years of initial diagnosis. One patient has persistent abdominal disease at 18 months; the other 6 patients suffered local recurrence within 8-13 months of initiation of treatment. Radiation therapy was used in 19 other patients who received 29 courses for palliation of dyspnea, superior vena cava syndrome, dysphagia, or neurological symptoms of brain metastasis. A palliation index was used to determine the effectiveness of irradiation and revealed that relief of symptoms was complete or substantial in 5 treatment courses, moderately effective in 6 courses and inadequate in 18 treatment courses. Adequate palliation strongly correlated with a dose at or above 4,000 rad in 4 weeks. The management of patients with mesothelioma requires new and innovative approaches to increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy and minimize the significant potential combined toxicity of pulmonary irradiation and adriamycin.

• Research Organization: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6716533
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 8:1; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CHEMOTHERAPY
DISEASES
DOXORUBICIN
DRUGS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUNGS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SIDE EFFECTS
SURGERY
THERAPY