HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Simon R Knight Siven Seevanayagam Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clarke, C. P Articles by Seevanayagam, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Clarke, C. P Articles by Seevanayagam, S. Related Collections Lung - cancer

Management of Malignant Mesothelioma by Decortication and Adjunct Phototherapy

Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

For reprint information contact: CP Clarke, MBBS Tel: 61 3 9419 2477 Fax: 61 3 9417 1694 Email: clarkecp{at}bigpond.com.au, Level 5, 55 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia.

Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare tumor that originates in the pleural space and almost invariably results from exposure to asbestos. Between September 1989 and December 1999, 100 patients were managed with curative intent using a combination of full decortication, adjunct phototherapy after administration of hematoporphyrin derivative, and strip radiotherapy to any areas where adequate clearance was not obtained. The survival curve was compared to that of 17 matched patients treated by decortication alone. Median survival increased from 250 to 440 days in the combined treatment group.