• S van Ruth, P Baas, R L M Haas, E J Th Rutgers, V J Verwaal, and F A N Zoetmulder.
• Department of Surgical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.v.ruth@nki.nl
• Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2003 Mar 1; 10 (2): 176-82.

BackgroundMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a disease mostly confined to the thoracic cavity. Untreated, the median survival is <1 year. Cytoreductive surgery combined with intraoperative hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy is used to kill residual tumor cells on the surface of the thoracic cavity while having limited systemic side effects.MethodsFrom August 1998 to August 2001, 22 patients with stage I MPM were included in this study. Two patients were irresectable at operation because of extrathoracic tumor growth. Twenty procedures were performed. After cytoreduction, a perfusion was performed with cisplatin and doxorubicin at 40 degrees C to 41 degrees C for 90 minutes. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given to surgical scars and drainage tracts.ResultsThere was no perioperative mortality, but significant morbidity was seen in 13 patients (65%), including bronchopleural fistula, diaphragm rupture, wound dehiscence, persistent air leakage, and chylous effusion. No hair loss or leucopenia was noticed. The median follow-up was 14 months. The median survival (Kaplan-Meier) was 11 months, with a 1-year survival of 42%. A favorable pharmacokinetic ratio was observed for both cisplatin and doxorubicin.ConclusionsCytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy for stage I MPM is feasible. However, this treatment is accompanied by considerable morbidity. Survival data were less encouraging.

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