Lung-Sparing P/D Surgery Best for Mesothelioma Patients

The latest studies have shown, and most thoracic oncologists agree, that lung-sparing pleurectomy/decortication is a better surgical option for mesothelioma patients today than the more aggressive extrapleural pneumonectomy. Less is better. Quality of life becomes better, too. “In most instances, the pleurectomy/decortication is the operation of choice now,” thoracic surgeon Dr. Andrea Wolf at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told Asbestos.com. “We’re finding that patients just do better in terms of survival and in terms of quality of life.” Wolf recently co-authored “The impact of surgical approach on quality of life for pleural malignant mesothelioma.” The article was published in a special issue of Annals of Translational Medicine that was dedicated to the asbestos-related disease. The article was an analysis of previously published research covering 523 surgical patients and included two studies that specifically compared post-surgery quality of life. Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) patients fared better than extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) patients in lung-function parameters, physical and social functioning and continued symptoms. “Patients should seriously consider the quality of life issue when weighing treatment options,” Wolf said. “To some extent, people look at it as separate from treatment, but in fact, it’s an important component in how patients do.” Many Patients Are Ineligible for Surgery Less than 25 percent of those diagnosed w...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Annals of Translational Medicine best surgery for mesothelioma Dr. Andrea Wolf Dr. Hasan Batirel eligible for mesothelioma surgery extrapleural pneumonectomy lung-sparing surgery Marmara University Hospital mesothelioma histology mesothe Source Type: news