Nonselective transarterial chemoperfusion: a palliative treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma

To evaluate tumor response by means of volumetric assessment, survival, and changes in patient symptoms after the treatment of unresectable and/or recurrent pleural mesothelioma by using regional nonselective transarterial chemoperfusion as a palliative treatment option.

This retrospective study was approved by the hospital ethical committee, and all patients signed an informed consent prior to treatment. Thirty-nine patients (mean age, 64.0 years; 10 women and 29 men) with unresectable pleural mesothelioma were treated with repetitive transarterial chemoperfusion between March 2007 and March 2010, with a mean of 2.9 sessions per patient at 4-week intervals. Transarterial chemoperfusion was performed by using mitomycin C, cisplatin, and gemcitabine. Computed tomography findings and patient symptoms were evaluated. Tumor response was evaluated by using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines, and survival was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The change in volume for the partial-response group was tested by using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

In 36% of treated tumors (14 of 39), partial response was achieved, and tumor volume decreased from a mean value ± standard deviation of 839.6 mL ± 590.3 (range, 3.9-1972.2 mL) to 137 mL ± 399.8 (range, 0.88-1131.4; P = .00012). In 49% of tumors (19 of 39), stable disease was noted. In 15% of tumors (six of 39), progressive disease was seen. Mean specific growth rate of the tumor was 0.00158% per day. The mean survival time was 14.2 months (range, 2.1-33.1 months) from the start of treatment. For patients with tumors that responded to treatment, mean survival time was 15 months (range, 4.5-33.1 months). Mean time to disease progression was 2.6 months for all tumors, 1.5 months for stable disease, and 1.3 months for progressive disease.

Transarterial chemoperfusion may have the potential to yield positive results and response in the treatment of recurrent and/or unresectable pleural mesothelioma. © RSNA, 2012.