A Retrospective Analysis of Epidemiology Prognostic Factor and Response of Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Abstract

alignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) represents a common malignant disease. It is an aggressive tumor arising from the mesothelial cells lining the pleura. There is an extremely poor prognosis and a vast majority of MPM patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage. Rapid progression of the disease, no effective therapeutic approach and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulted in a median survival time of less than 12 months. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers is mainly associated with the development of MPM. Incidences of MPM reach 100 cases/million/year in occupationally exposed populations opposed to 1 case/million/year in the general population. Although 50 years have passed since the discovery of the first incidence of MPM, an optimal strategy has not been yet established, as the diagnosis, staging and treatment of the disease remains difficult and complex. Recent advances in the field of genetic and molecular biology of cancer as well as in immunohistochemistry techniques have led to an improved identification and understanding of the tumor phenotypes. Management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains a clinical challenge and the incidence of the disease will continue to increase worldwide. Several aspects of mesothelioma treatment are discussed controver