title: Pleurectomy/decortication in the setting of multimodality treatment for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.
abstract: Pleurectomy/decortication is a frequently performed operation for patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM). It has a low surgical mortality rate (less than 5%), but is associated with a significant risk of local recurrence. To date, intensive adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy has not diminished that risk. Despite these disappointing results, pleurectomy/decortication may still be the best treatment option for some patients, particularly those with early stage disease whose medical condition precludes pneumonectomy. The role of pleurectomy/decortication in conjunction with newer treatment strategies such as neoadjuvant therapy or gene therapy warrants investigation.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Surgery and Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Rusch
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000601:surgery; D004210:Dissection; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents