title: Surgical controversies in mesothelioma: MesoVATS addresses the role of surgical debulking.
abstract: Contemporary multi-modality treatment of malignant mesothelioma remains challenging. The merits of surgical resection and the particular extent of resection continue to be debated topics. To date few randomized surgical trials have been completed to address many lingering issues concerning surgery in mesothelioma. Recently, the MesoVATS trial shows us that a minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedure for curative resection in mesothelioma is of limited benefit. Results of ongoing clinical trials are awaited.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic and GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
authors.forename: Chuong D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hoang
keywords: Mesothelioma; VATS; pleurectomy