[Surgical treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma in eight cases]

Between 1987 and March 2000, we have operated on eight patients for malignant mesothelioma which consisted of four of localized type and four of diffuse type. We have aggressively resected mesothelioma combined with chemotherapy whether the tumor was primary or recurrent, and concluded the following. 1) In localized malignant mesothelioma, en-bloc primary tumor resection was possible and additional resection for recurrence was effective and useful for long time survival. 2) In diffuse malignant mesothelioma, complete tumor resection was impossible to even perform pleuropneumonectomy accompanied with partial resection of pericardium and diaphragm and, therefore, the prognosis was poor in four patients and all died around one year. 3) Because recurrent pattern for localized type was diffuse type, diagnosis and surgical treatment in early stage was essential for long time survival.