Re-evaluating the role of palliative radiotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Purpose: To determine the objective response rate of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) to short course radiation therapy.

Methods: We reviewed the cases of 54 patients with advanced MPM who were treated with palliative radiotherapy according to a standardised institutional policy. Pre- and post-treatment computed tomography scans were used to assess response.

Shrinkage of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancers in response to induction chemotherapy: implications for radiotherapy treatment planning.

Purpose: To quantify the impact that changes in tumor volume after induction chemotherapy have on radiotherapy treatment planning for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Methods And Materials: An analysis of coregistered pre- and postchemotherapy tumor volumes in a Phase II study of induction chemotherapy delivered before radical radiotherapy.

Results: Using the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors measurement, 35% of patients had a partial response and 62% had stable disease after chemotherapy.