Peritoneal Mesothelioma Protocols Update
To: Roger Worthington
From: Dr. Brian W. Loggie
Subject: Peritoneal Mesothelioma Protocols Update
Date: December 20, 1997
With respect to peritoneal malignant mesothelioma, additional studies beyond which you listed have been in progress that I am aware of. Both show promising results.
One is at NCI Surgery Branch under Dr Richard Alexander. Has applied cytoreductive surgery (surgical removal or debulking) with heated intaperitoneal chemotherapy perfusion.
Second is my group at Wake Forest University using a similar strategy but different drug. We have both seen good responses and good control of malignant ascites. I have 2 of 7 patients treated that have no evidence of disease (out of 7), including 1 who appears to be "cured" several years out (but we started in that particular case with low volume disease). In our series, this disease disorder has been treated within a larger study aimed at the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis and malignant ascites.
In any event, results are promising and all series have small numbers due to the rarity of the disorder. We are continuing with our studies and so is Dr Alexander to my knowledge. We are not using whole abdomen/pelvis radiation therapy nor do we have any plans to do so (for reasons too long to mention here).
PS. Also this method has been reported by group in Tel Aviv - at last meeting in Munich Oct 97 they had treated 3 patients.
Brian W. Loggie, MD
University of Texas, Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Center -
Moncrief Diagnostic Center
1400 Eighth Avenue, Suite 101
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: 817.927.4560
email: bloggie@cans.org
http://www.help4cancer.com
** POSTED DECEMBER 22, 1997 **