Malignant mesotheliomas and chemotherapy

Of 77 patients with mesotheliomas, 63.6% had pleural involvement, 31.2% had peritoneal involvement, and 5.2% had involvement at other sites. The presenting symptoms varied with the location of the primary. Surgery and irradiation did not appear to influence the course of the diffuse type. Of 41 patients given systemic chemotherapy, three patients had complete response and four had greater than 50% objective response (median survival 42.5 months); 18 patients had stabilization (median 12.8 months), and 16 showed no response (median 4.5 months). The difference in survival between responders and non-responders was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Of 16 patients who received secondary chemotherapy, four had complete response (median survival 17.5 months), six had stabilization (median 10.5 months), and six had no response (median 2.5 months). Chemotherapy appears moderately effective in the treatment of mesotheliomas.