Early Chemo may Improve Outcome for Mesothelioma Patients

March 8, 2006 - A study recently completed in the United Kingdom has demonstrated that immediate treatment with chemotherapy before symptoms occur can improve Mesothelioma survival rates at one year and also improve a Mesothelioma patient’s overall quality of life.  This was in comparison to the often-followed procedure of administering chemotherapy drugs at the onset of symptoms rather than before.

Results of the study have been reported in the February 2006 issue of the Annals of Oncology.  Conducted using British citizens who have been diagnosed with malignant Mesothelioma, this trial included 43 patients who had undergone surgery and had stable disease symptoms for at least 4 weeks. According to the report, about half of those patients then received immediate MVP chemotherapy (mitomycin, vinblastine, cisplatin, or carboplatin), while the other half did not receive MVP until symptoms of the disease occurred.

Results of the study indicated that:

• Overall, patients who received early chemo treatments had improved outcomes.
• In general, quality of life was better for those who were treated with early chemotherapy than for those who didn’t receive the treatment until the onset of symptoms.
• Median survival was 14 months for patients treated with immediate chemotherapy, compared with 10 months for those treated with delayed chemotherapy.
• At one year, survival rates were 66% for those treated with immediate chemotherapy, compared with 36% for those treated with delayed chemotherapy.