Mesothelioma: Improved survival rates with chemotherapy

A leading expert on asbestos related diseases has suggested that survival rates for some mesothelioma sufferers may not be as poor as many believe.

Dr Gunnar Hillerdal, an expert on asbestos diseases from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden reported his findings at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul, South Korea.

The findings of the Scandinavian study contrast with studies in other countries such as the USA. A US based trial of cisplatin with or without pemetrexed demonstrated survival of 12 months compared to cisplatin alone. Dr Hillerdal commented that: “…the experience of the Nordic Mesothelioma Group is different.”

Dr Hillerdal also stated that surgery was used sparingly to treat mesothelioma in Scandinavia, whilst in some other countries; patients with favourable characteristics (like less advanced disease or good performance status) are indicated for surgery, leaving patients who have the worst prognosis for treatment with chemotherapy.

The report assessed 147 mesothelioma sufferers treated with chemotherapy alone. All the patients were given doxorubicin, carboplatin and gemcitabine. The results demonstrated that the most favourable outlook was for patients with the epithelial subtype of mesothelioma. Please click here for further information about the study.

Dr Hillerdal commented that: “The key message from this study is that survival of mesothelioma is not so bad as many believe. With proper patient selection survival with chemotherapy can be just as good as with surgery or even better. The important thing to remember is patient selection. Subtype is more important than stage, and that should be kept in mind when evaluating results of surgical series.”

In England and Wales the National institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently reversed their earlier decision to refuse public funding for Alimta (pemetrexed disodium), on the ground that it was not cost effective. Click here for further information about this decision.

Kevin Johnson, a solicitor who specialises in mesothelioma and other asbestos disease claims, from specialist claimant law firm, John Pickering and Partners LLP said: “Studies like this show that chemotherapy can have positive effects for some mesothelioma sufferers and vindicates the efforts of asbestos campaigners, asbestos victim support groups and others to lobby NICE to reverse their decision to refuse to fund Alimta.”