Researchers from University of Perugia publish new studies and findings in the area of mesothelioma
Cancer Weekly
September 30, 2008
According to a study from Perugia, Italy, "A variety of options have been proposed to treat malignant ascites but most of them have failed to reach a significant impact in terms of palliation. Laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (LHIPEC) Could represent a good therapeutic tool for patients in whom medical therapies have failed and peritoneovenous Shunting is contraindicated."
"Here we present a case of a 49-year-old woman with malignant ascites secondary to peritoneal spreading of a right pleural mesothelioma. After failure of medical therapy, the patient underwent LHIPEC with Cisplatin 25mg/m(2)/L and Doxorubicin 7 mg/m(2)/L. A dramatic reduction of ascites was documented in the postoperative period and the patient experienced complete abdominal symptom relief. Ascites did not recur during a follow-up period of 6 months. LHIPEC Could be a good therapeutic option to palliate malignant ascites from mesothelioma in cases not eligible for a radical treatment," wrote A. Patriti and colleagues, University of Perugia (see also Mesothelioma).
The researchers concluded: "Further studies are needed to standardize dosage and perfusion parameters."
Patriti and colleagues published the results of their research in Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques (Successful palliation of malignant ascites from peritoneal mesothelioma by laparoscopic intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy. Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques, 2008;18(4):426-428).
For additional information, contact A. Patriti, University of Perugia, Osped Santa Maria Misericordia, Dept. of Surgery, Sect General & Emergency Surgery, I-06156 Perugia, Italy.
The publisher of the journal Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
