Malignant Mesothelioma: Cell Survival Pathways and Radiation Therapy

摘要

Malignant mesothelioma is an insidious cancer with a long latency period from the initial exposure to asbestos, the most common causative agent. Patients show minimal response to current treatment options, resulting in a median survival time from diagnosis ranging between 12-18 months. Although recent studies have enhanced our understanding of mesotheliomas, treatment strategies that range from supportive care to radical trimodality therapy have limited efficacy. Aside from being an essential component of trimodality therapy for mesotheliomas, radiation therapy has been also utilized as a prophylaxis for drain-site recurrence and palliation of pain.