Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Handbook of Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology pp 249–260Cite as

Mesothelioma and Thymic Tumors

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 2710 Accesses

Abstract

Rare: only 2,000–3,000 cases per year in the US. Eighty percent cases involve asbestos exposure. Strong causal relationship exists with cigarette smoking. Can affect visceral pleura, parietal pleura, and peritoneum. May mimic adenocarcinoma on pathologic examination; immunohistochemical staining required for definitive diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

REFERENCES

  • Allen AM, Czerminska M, Janne PA, et al. Fatal pneumonitis associated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy for mesothelioma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2006;65(3):640-645.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen AM, Den R, Wong JS, et al. Influence of radiotherapy technique and dose on patterns of failure for mesothelioma patients after extrapleural pneumonectomy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007;68(5):1366-1374.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen AM, Schoenfield MS, Hacker F et al. Restricted field IMRT dramatically enhances IMRT planning for mesothelioma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007;69(5):1587-1592.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Batata M. Thymomas: Clinicopathologic features, therapy, and prognosis. Cancer 1974;34:389-396.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berghmans T, Lafitte J, Paesmans M et al. A phase II study evaluating the cisplatin and epirubicin combination in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Lung Cancer 2005;50:75-82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boutin C, Rey F, Viallat R et al. Prevention of malignant seeding after invasive diagnostic procedures in patients with pleural mesothelioma. A randomized trial of local radiotherapy. Chest 1995;108(3):754-758.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruin M, Burgers J, Baas P, et al. Malignant mesothelioma following radiation treatment for Hodgin’s lymphoma. Blood 2009;113(16):3679-3681.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ceresoli G, Zucali P, Favaretto A, et al. Phase II study of pemetrexed plus carboplatin in malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2006;24:1443-1448.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ciernik IF, Meier U, Lutolf UM. Prognostic factors and outcome of incompletely resected invasive thymoma following radiation therapy. J Clin Oncol. 1994;12:1484-1490.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Curran WJ Jr., Kornstein MJ, Brooks JJ, et al. Invasive thymoma: the role of mediastinal irradiation following complete or incomplete surgical resection. J Clin Oncol. 1988;6:1722-1727.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eng TY, et al. Mediastinum and Trachea. In: Perez CA, Brady LW, Halperin ED, Schmidt-Ullrich RK, editors. Principles and practice of radiation oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004. pp 1244-1281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flores R, Krug L, Rosenzweig K, et al. Induction chemotherapy, extrapleural pneumonectomy, and postoperative high-dose radiotherapy for locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma: a Phase II trial. J Thorac Oncol. 2006;1:289-295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forquer JA, Rong N, Fakiris AJ, et al. Postoperative radiotherapy after surgical resection of thymoma: differing roles in localized and regional disease. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2010;76(2):440-445.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hillerdal G, Sorensen J, Sundstrom S, et al. Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma with carboplatin, liposomized doxorubicin, and gemcitabine: a phase II study. J Thorac Oncol. 2008;3:1325-1331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janne P, Simon G, Langer C, et al. Phase II trial of pemetrexed and gemcitabine in chemotherapy-naïve malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26:1465-1471.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalmadi S, Rankin C, Kraut M, et al. Gemcitabine and cisplatin in unresectable malignant mesothelioma of the pleura: a phase II study of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG 9810). Lung Cancer 2008;60:259-263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim E, Putnam J, Komaki R, et al. Phase II study of a multidisciplinary approach with induction chemotherapy, followed by surgical resection, radiation therapy, and consolidation chemotherapy for unresectable malignant thymomas: final report. Lung Cancer 2004;44:369-379.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo K, Monden Y. Therapy for thymic epithelial tumors: a clinical study of 1,320 patients from Japan. Ann Thorac Surg. 2003;76(3):878-884.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krayenbuhl J, OErtel S, Davis JB, et al. Combined photon and electron three-dimensional conformal versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy with integrated boost for adjuvant treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma after pleuropneumectomy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007;69(5):1593-1599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Komaki R, Travis EL, Cox JD. The Lung and Thymus. In: Cox JD, Ang KK, editors. Radiation oncology: rationale, technique, results. 8th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2003. pp. 399-427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loehrer Sr P, Wang W, Johnson D, et al. Octreotide alone or with prednisone in patient with advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase II trail. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22:293-299.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu C, Perez-Soler R, Piperdi B, et al. Phase II study of a liposome-entrapped cisplatin analog (L-NDDP) administered intrapleurally and pathologic response rates in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:3495-3501.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lucchi M, Chella A, Dini P, et al. Four-modality therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a phase II study. J Thorac Oncol. 2008;2:237-242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masaoka A, Monden Y, Nakahara K, et al. Follow-up study of thymomas with special reference to their clinical stages. Cancer 1981;48:2485.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miles EF, Larrier NA, Kelsey CR, et al. Intensity modulated radiotherapy for restricted mesothelioma: the Duke Experience. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2008;71(4):1143-1150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Monden Y, Nakahara K, Iioka S, et al. Recurrence of thymoma: clinicopathological features, therapy, and prognosis. Ann Thorac Surg. 1985;39:165-169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mornex F. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy for invasive thymomas: a multicentric retrospective review of 90 cases. Int J Radiation Oncology Biol Phys. 1995;2:651-659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohara K, Okumura T, Sugahara S, et al. The role of preoperative radiotherapy for invasive thymoma. Acta Oncol. 1990;29:425-429.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okuno S, Delaune, Sloan J, et al. A phase 2 study of gemcitabine and epirubicin for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. Cancer 2008;112:1772-1779.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Rourke N, Garcia JC, Paul J et al. A randomized controlled trial of intervention site radiotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Radiother Oncol 2007;84(1):18-22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palmieri G, Montella L, Martignetti A, et al. Somatostatin analogs and prednisone in advanced refractory thymic tumors. Cancer 2002;94:1414-1420.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perrot M, Feld R, Cho B, et al. Trimodality therapy with induction chemotherapy followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy and adjuvant high-dose hemithoracic radiation for malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(9):1413-1418.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plathow C, Staab A, Schmaehl A, et al. Computed tomography, positron emission tomography, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging for staging of limited pleural mesothelioma: initial results. Invest Radiol. 2008;43:737-744.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rice DC, Stevens CW, Correa AM, et al. Outcomes after extrapleural pneumonectomy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84(5):1685-1692.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig KE KL. Tumors of the Lung, Pleura, and Mediastinum. In Leibel SA, Phillips TL, editors. Textbook of radiation oncology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2004. pp. 779-810.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig K, Fox J, Zelefsky M, et al. A pilot trial of high-dose-rate intraoperative radiation therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Brachytherapy 2005;4:30-33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rusch VW, Rosenzweig K, Venkatraman E, et al. A phase II trial of surgical resection and adjuvant high-dose hemithoracic radiation for malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2001;122:788-795.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scagliotti G, Shin D, Kindler H, et al. Phase II study of pemetrexed with and without folic acid and vitamin B12 as front-line therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21:1556-1561.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sterzing F, Sroka-Perez G, Schubert K, et al. Evaluating taget coverage and normal tissue sparing in the adjuvant radiotherapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma: helical tomotherapy compared with step and shoot IMRT. Radiother Oncol. 2008;86(2):251-257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Urgesi A, Monetti U, Rossi G, et al. Role of radiation therapy in locally advanced thymoma. Radiother Oncol. 1990;19:273-280.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Meerbeeck JP, Baas P, Debruyne C, et al. A Phase II study of gemcitabine in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Lung Cancer Cooperative Group. Cancer 1999;85:2577-2582.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogelzang NJ, Rusthoven JJ, Symanowski J, et al. Phase III study of pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21:2636-2644.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wright CD, Choi NC, Wain JC, et al Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by resection for locally advanced Masaoka stage III and IVA thymic tumors. Ann Thoracic Surg. 2008;85(2):385-389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu G, He S, Fu X, et al. Radiotherapy and prognostic factors for thymoma: a retrospective study of 175 patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2004;60(4):1113-1119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zucali P, Ceresoli G, Garassino I, et al. Gemcitabine and vinorelbine in pemetrexed-pretreated patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cancer 2008;112:1555-1561.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Fred Y. Wu MD, PhD

  2. Radiation Oncology, Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA

    Brian Lee MD, PhD

  3. Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Joycelyn L. Speight MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Fred Y. Wu MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brian Lee MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joycelyn L. Speight MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Div. Radiation Oncology, Oregon Clinic, SW. Barnes Rd. 9205, Portland, 97225, Oregon, USA

    Eric K. Hansen

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, Divisadero Street, Suite H-1031 1600, San Francisco, 94143, California, USA

    Mack Roach

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wu, F.Y., Lee, B., Speight, J.L. (2010). Mesothelioma and Thymic Tumors. In: Hansen, E., Roach, M. (eds) Handbook of Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92988-0_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92988-0_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-92987-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-92988-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation