Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Paper Summary:

This paper illustrates the current developments in the diagnostic imaging of malignant pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive form of malignancy in the pleura that often leads to death. Because of its gravity, there is a need for an effective imaging tool to help determine the tumor stage and extent, and to predict the prognostic outcomes of a chosen treatment . The author describes the disease and its histologic traits and also discusses past and current practices on diagnostic imaging such as the chest x-ray, computed tomographic scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scan. The potential and limitations of these technologies are also analyzed. This paper includes an annotated bibliography.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
A Look into Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Recent Advances in Medical Imaging in the Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Computed Tomography Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Positron Emission Tomography
Molecular Imaging
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The search for the most efficient, cost-effective imaging modality is still ongoing. Current modalities, CT Scan, MRI, and FDG-PET, have their own limitations as well as their advantages. It is only through research that the medical field may be able to utilize these existing technologies. The importance of early diagnosis through non-invasive means can not be emphasized enough. Because of the aggressive nature of malignant pleural mesothelioma, the use of these current modalities must be utilized as early as possible especially by people who are high risk."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Akira M. 2008 Mar;29(1):117-31, Imaging of occupational and environmental lung diseases.Department of Radiology, Kinki Cuo Chest Medical Center, 1180 Nagasone-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai City, Osaka 591-8555, Japan. akira@kch.hosp.go.jp
• Armato SG 3rd, Entwisle J, Truong MT, Nowak AK, Ceresoli GL, Zhao B, Misri R, Kindler HL. 2008 Mar;59(3):411-20. Epub 2007 Dec 3. Current state and future directions of pleural mesothelioma imaging.Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2026, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. s-armato@uchicago.edu
• Benamore RE, O'Doherty MJ, Entwisle JJ.2005 Dec;60(12):1237-47 Use of imaging in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma.Use of imaging in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma.Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Leicester, UK.
• Entwisle J. 2004 Aug;45 Suppl 1:S69-71 The use of magnetic resonance imaging in malignant mesothelioma.Department of Radiology, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK. james.entwisle@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
• Marom EM, Erasmus JJ, Pass HI, Patz EF Jr. 2002 Feb;29(1):26-35 The role of imaging in malignant pleural mesothelioma.Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA

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