Abstract
Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a primary, rare and aggressive malignant tumor, closely correlated with asbestos exposure. Aim: The objective of this work is to study the main epidemiological, clinical, histological and therapeutic aspects of these tumors and to compare our results with those reported in the literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 8 cases of MPM collected at the medical oncology department of CHU Hassan II in Fez, for a period of 8 years from January 2011 to January 2019. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 53 years with an F/H sex ratio of 1.7. Occupational exposure to asbestos was found in only one patient. Pleural effusion syndrome was present in all patients. Biopsy was done under thoracoscopy in 7patients (87.5%). MPM were mostly stage IV (50%). The standard treatment was conventional chemotherapy based on platinum, administered to all patients. After an average number of 4 courses, the objective response rate was 12.5%, and the disease control rate was 50%. Second line chemotherapy consisted of monotherapy with NAVELBINE (67%) or PEMETREXED (33%). After a median follow–up of 17 months, the median of progression–free survival was 5 months, and that of overall survival was 8 months. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we conclude that MPM is a very rare tumor in Morocco with poor prognosis. Prognostic factors affecting survival could not be studied due to the low number of patients included in the study, and the lack of data on medical records.