AIMS: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in the UK is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and assess the effect of carboplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed between 1998 and 2011 were stratified by year of diagnosis. Factors affecting survival were assessed by Cox's proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: In total, there were 202 new cases of malignant mesothelioma between 1998 and 2011. The age-standardised rate (95% confidence interval) increased from 2.84 (2.06-3.60) to 4.44 (3.50-5.4); P = 0.025. Chemotherapy use has increased since 2006: 52% versus 34% (P = 0.007). The median survival (interquartile range) by year diagnosed was 9 (4.0-21.9) versus 10 (3.8-20.1) months for 1998-2005 versus 2006-2011. Independent predictors of survival [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)] were: histology, sarcomatoid 2.22 (1.49-3.31) and unspecified non-epithelioid 1.50 (1.06-2.14); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥3 2.86 (1.64-5.00); hypoalbuminaemia 2.07 (1.47-2.92), carboplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy 0.56 (0.38-0.80). CONCLUSION: The incidence of mesothelioma is increasing. Adverse prognostic factors include non-epithelioid histology, performance status and hypoalbuminaemia. Overall survival has not improved significantly, but treatment with carboplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy is associated with a significant survival benefit.
AIMS: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in the UK is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and assess the effect of carboplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed between 1998 and 2011 were stratified by year of diagnosis. Factors affecting survival were assessed by Cox's proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: In total, there were 202 new cases of malignant mesothelioma between 1998 and 2011. The age-standardised rate (95% confidence interval) increased from 2.84 (2.06-3.60) to 4.44 (3.50-5.4); P = 0.025. Chemotherapy use has increased since 2006: 52% versus 34% (P = 0.007). The median survival (interquartile range) by year diagnosed was 9 (4.0-21.9) versus 10 (3.8-20.1) months for 1998-2005 versus 2006-2011. Independent predictors of survival [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)] were: histology, sarcomatoid 2.22 (1.49-3.31) and unspecified non-epithelioid 1.50 (1.06-2.14); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥3 2.86 (1.64-5.00); hypoalbuminaemia 2.07 (1.47-2.92), carboplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy 0.56 (0.38-0.80). CONCLUSION: The incidence of mesothelioma is increasing. Adverse prognostic factors include non-epithelioid histology, performance status and hypoalbuminaemia. Overall survival has not improved significantly, but treatment with carboplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy is associated with a significant survival benefit.
Authors: A Linton; N Pavlakis; R O'Connell; M Soeberg; S Kao; S Clarke; J Vardy; N van Zandwijk Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2014-09-04 Impact factor: 7.640