Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  The most common location of mesothelioma is the lining of the lung, known as malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).  The next two common locations are the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma.)

Because of the anatomic location and the unique growth pattern of mesothelioma, challenges arise in making a diagnosis, prognosis, and assessment of treatment.  A recent study from the University of Western Australia discussed how imaging can help with initial diagnosis, predict patient survival, and monitor after treatments. 

Studies were presented at the 9^th International Conference of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group that centered on the use of FDG-PET imaging, or fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), in conjunction with the more traditional computed tomography (CT) scans.  FDG-PET imaging was show to have a high sensitivity and specificity for identifying whether the pleural cancer was benign or malignant.  Using FDG-PET to measure tumor features also proved to a valuable prognostic took with more accurate predictions of survival.

Imaging modalities such as the FDG-Pet and CT scan are noninvasive tools that correlate stage, disease, and survival in mesothelioma patients.   These imaging methods have also been show to accurately predict histopathological response various mesothelioma treatments.   Imaging can help detect, diagnose, and guide and monitor the progress of treatment of mesothelioma. 

The National Cancer Institute has ongoing clinical trials, some of which are related to imaging as well as treatment of mesothelioma.  To see what clinical trials are taking place in your area, visit the National Cancer Institute.