COMBINED DOXORUBICIN AND RADIATION-THERAPY IN MALIGNANT PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (8) , 1605-1607
Abstract
Ten patients with histologically confirmed inoperable malignant mesothelioma of the pleura were treated with doxorubicin and fractionated radiotherapy courses. Three patients derived significant clinical benefit from this treatment, although only 1 of the 3 had measurable tumor shrinkage that could be defined as partial response. Two of the 10 patients showed only progressive disease; the remaining 5 showed disease stabilization for 30-100 wk. The treatment was subjectively well-tolerated; hematopoietic toxicity was acceptable. Radiation pneumonitis did not occur. Two of the 4 patients who lived .gtoreq. 94 wk developed fibrosis of the irradiated hemithorax. The median survival time for all patients was 46 wk. Although the combined treatment could be given with acceptable toxic effects and although 4 patients benefited from it, the best objective assessment, i.e., survival time, did not appear to be adequately influenced to justify an extension of this series.