Current Management of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is increasing in importancein the Asia-Pacific region, where ongoing asbestosconsumption in many countries and a long latencyperiod will result in a rising incidence over many decades.Treatment, whether it is with palliative or curativeintent, can involve several different modalities, with chemotherapy,radiotherapy, palliative care, and surgeryhaving important roles. There is now good evidence forsurvival and quality of life benefits from treatment withpalliative chemotherapy. Controversies surrounding“curative” treatment with trimodality therapy are discussed,including the lack of high quality evidence forthis approach. The current and developing roles of differentmodalities in the treatment of malignant pleuralmesothelioma are reviewed.