Publication
Title
Real-life treatment practice for malignant pleural mesothelioma in Belgium
Author
Abstract
Objectives: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer, for which treatment is often limited to palliative combination chemotherapy. Multimodality-therapy, including radical surgery, is largely restricted to clinical trials, leaving its benefit currently unclear. This study aimed to get a comprehensive view on real-world MPM treatment at the Belgian population level, to assess survival and to identify prognostic factors. Materials and methods: The study period covered the incidence years 2004-2012 (N = 1453). Starting from the Belgian Cancer Registry, additional information regarding patient characteristics, diagnosis and treatment was retrieved from multiple data sources. Adjusted cox proportional-hazard regression models using time-dependent covariates were performed to assess survival in relation to treatment patterns and centre volume. Results: Sixty-nine percent of patients underwent tumour-directed treatment, mostly cisplatin-pemetrexed chemotherapy. Radical surgery was mainly performed in younger patients with epithelioid subtype. Centre volume, surgery and chemotherapy showed a positive relation with survival in univariable analyses, but only chemotherapy remained significantly relevant in multivariable analyses. Younger patients, females, and epithelioid subtypes also independently had a better survival. Conclusion: This large population-based study provides insights in MPM treatment practice in Belgium. Centre volume and surgery being related to survival in univariable analyses, only chemotherapy remained prognostic after adjustment.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Lung cancer: journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer / International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer [Aurora, Colo.] - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2018
ISSN
0169-5002
DOI
10.1016/J.LUNGCAN.2018.10.009
Volume/pages
125 (2018) , p. 258-264
ISI
000450378500037
Pubmed ID
30429030
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.12.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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