Affiliation:
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., NY 10065, USA
Abstract
The treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains challenging. Optimal management for resectable patients involves an aggressive approach, frequently using trimodality therapy. Historically, poor tumor control and profound pulmonary toxicity prevented conventional radiation therapy from being widely used. The advent of intensity-modulated radiation therapy was a major development in the delivery of radiation for MPM in the adjuvant setting, improving target coverage and dose homogeneity while maintaining acceptable toxicity profiles. Nevertheless, there remains a significant risk of severe pulmonary toxicity, ameliorated by careful target delineation, treatment planning and proactive toxicity management. Innovative technology, including arc therapy, simultaneous integrated boosts and proton therapy as well as neodjuvant delivery of radiation followed by pneumonectomy are being actively investigated to improve outcomes in the treatment of MPM.
Subject
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine,Oncology