title: [Chemotherapy in combination with whole-body hyperthermia in advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma].
abstract: METHODS
  A 57-year-old man presented with dyspnoea, cough, fatigue and weight loss. He had been exposed to asbestos 30 years ago. Physical examination was unremarkable apart from a suspected pleural effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax showed multiple pleural masses with pleural effusion on the left side. CT of the abdomen and bronchoscopy were normal. The patient underwent explorative thoracoscopy; biopsies were taken, and diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma was demonstrated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient was evaluated at the University Hospital Lübeck for Phase II experimental therapy with whole-body hyperthermia (WBH). The pretreatment evaluation revealed normal cardiorespiratory function and a normal contrast-enhanced CT of the brain. The patient's haematologic profile and electrolytes were normal. The WBH-radiant heat device (RHD) used for therapy was Aquatherm provided by the Cancer Research Institute (CRI, New York, USA). The patient received ifosfamide (5 g/m2, day 1), carboplatin (300 mg/m2, day 1), etoposide (150 mg/m2, days 2-3) combined with WBH at 41.8 degrees C (for 60 minutes). Two cycles were applied without complications and a partial remission of the disease was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiant heat whole body hyperthermia, in conjunction with a defined anticancer treatment and pharmacological approach to sedation, was a safe and effective palliative treatment in this patient.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinik Lübeck.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakhshandeh
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bruns
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wiedemann
mesh_terms: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D007069:Ifosfamide