0 Measurement of Mesothelioma Tumor Volume Aids in Prognosis

In a recent study from Columbia University, researchers found measuring mesothelioma tumors may provide additional insight into effective treatment options and other prognostic factors.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer most notably caused by asbestos exposure. Symptoms of this rare condition can take decades to arise and many patients are diagnosed during the latest stage of development as a result. With such a late diagnosis, the mesothelioma life expectancy for most patients ranges between four and 18 months.

The purpose of the study was to calculate the tumor volume in pleural mesothelioma patients by using computer tomography scan images and a computerized measurement technique. They wanted to evaluate the changes in volume after chemotherapy and whether the change could help predict overall survival in patients.

Between two clinical trials, 30 patients were studied after being treated with a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Tumor volumes were evaluated after two cycles of chemotherapy and changes were measured by percentages.

The percentage change of tumor volume between the initial measurement and the evaluation after two chemotherapy cycles was greatly associated with overall survival. Patients were divided into an “increase” or “decrease” group.

F. Liu and colleagues at Columbia University concluded that “Computer-aided volumetric measurements may enable more reliable therapeutic response assessment and could provide additional prognostic information.”

The study, titled “Assessment of Therapy Responses and Prediction of Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Through Computer-Aided Volumetric Measurement on Computed Tomography Scans,” can be found in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

source: www.asbestos.com