Biological and Clinical Aspects of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Past, Present and Future Treatment Strategies

Abstract

Pleural mesothelioma is still increasing and its prognosis remains dismal. Trimodality theraphy (surgery, chemo and radiotheraphy) is the treatment that seems work better, even if there is no evidence if extrapleural pneumonectomy is more curative than pleurectomy/decortication so far. Chemotherapy will probably play a fundamental role in the next future and further randomized studies are necessary, but patients should see the benefits of participating in randomized and controlled trials.