Intracavitary therapies for mesothelioma

Abstract

The diagnosis of mesothelioma needs to be defined histologically. The staging system has been recently redefined anatomically, but may not be applicable to extrapleural mesothelioma. Further clinicopathologic studies need to be performed to molecularly classify the disease further, according to prognosis. Intracavitary therapy has a definite role in the treatment of mesothelioma. Randomized studies of intracavitary therapies are needed to define the best treatment option. The role of complementary therapeutic modalities such as surgery and radiotherapy needs to be defined by randomized studies. There is an urgent need to better understand the biology of mesothelioma, which may lead to more focus on molecularly relevant therapies.