Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy is Associated with Longer Survival in Mesothelioma Patients

Researchers in the U.K. have published a systemic review analyzing 598 pleural mesothelioma patients that have undergone hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (“HITHOC”) immediately following surgery in the hopes of eradicating microscopic tumor cells throughout the chest cavity. Unlike HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy), which is an established treatment protocol for peritoneal mesothelioma patients, HITHOC is still deemed experimental and rarely administered to patients.

The study found that “surgery with hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy was associated with a median overall survival and disease-free interval ranging from 11 to 75 months and 7.2 to 57 months, respectively.” The results yielded promising data compared to patients not receiving HITHOC and suggested even better stats the higher the dose given. Although more clinical trials need to be done, HITHOC is an emerging and encouraging addition to multimodal treatment options.