Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2000 Mar 17;125(11):317-9.

Chemotherapy in combination with whole-body hyperthermia in advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma

[Article in German]

Bakhshandeh A, Bruns I, Eberhardt K, Wiedemann GJ.

Source

Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinik Lübeck.

Abstract

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS:

A 57-year-old man presented with dyspnoea, cough, fatigue and weight loss. He had been exposed to asbestos 30 years ago. Physical examination was unremarkable apart from a suspected pleural effusion.

INVESTIGATIONS:

Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax showed multiple pleural masses with pleural effusion on the left side. CT of the abdomen and bronchoscopy were normal. The patient underwent explorative thoracoscopy; biopsies were taken, and diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma was demonstrated.

TREATMENT AND COURSE:

The patient was evaluated at the University Hospital Lübeck for Phase II experimental therapy with whole-body hyperthermia(WBH). The pretreatment evaluation revealed normal cardiorespiratory function and a normal contrast-enhanced CT of the brain. The patient’s haematologic profile and electrolytes were normal. The WBH-radiant heat device (RHD) used for therapy was Aquatherm provided by the Cancer Research Institute (CRI, New York, USA). The patient received ifosfamide (5 g/m2, day 1), carboplatin (300 mg/m2, day 1), etoposide (150 mg/m2, days 2-3) combined with WBH at 41.8 degrees C (for 60 minutes). Two cycles were applied without complications and a partial remission of the disease was observed.

CONCLUSION:

Radiant heat whole body hyperthermia, in conjunction with a defined anticancer treatment and pharmacological approach to sedation, was a safe and effective palliative treatment in this patient.