Enewold L, et al. – The patterns of care and subsequent survival were ascertained among malignant mesothelioma patients in the United States while adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities. As per findings, efforts were warranted to ensure equitable application of currently available therapies to all patients.

Methods

• This study incorporated a random sample of patients diagnosed with histologically confirmed mesothelioma in 2011, as reported to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program.
• Experts determined factors associated with receipt of therapy and all-cause mortality, respectively, among patients with pleural mesothelioma by using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

• 389 patients with pleural mesothelioma and 53 patients with non-pleural mesothelioma were enrolled in this study.
• No therapy was administered in almost a third (29.3%) of the pleural patients and 21.5% of the non-pleural patients.
• They found that approximately 60% of both patient groups received systemic therapy.
• In addition, among pleural mesothelioma patients, receipt of therapy was less likely among older patients.
• Among the pleural patients, median survival was 9 months, and 18 months among the non-pleural patients.
• An association of receipt of either surgery or systemic therapy and particularly the combination of these two modalities with better all-cause survival was observed.
• Results revealed a link of younger age and lower socioeconomic status with better all-cause survival, among pleural mesothelioma patients.
• There was no association between comorbidity score and receipt of treatment
• Moreover, no independent association was found between comorbidity score and survival among pleural mesothelioma patients.