Mesothelioma

Use contrast-enhanced CT scanning for response evaluation.

After definitive treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma, patients should be monitored closely for treatment-related toxicity, such as post-thoracotomy pain, radiation pneumonitis, and chemotherapy-induced hematologic toxicity.

Patients with inoperable or recurrent disease who have completed a course of chemotherapy should be monitored closely to evaluate for cytopenias, renal damage, neuropathy, and other adverse treatment effects.

Patients are usually reviewed every 3-6 months following completion of therapy. In the absence of concerning symptoms or signs, more frequent follow-up imaging is probably of little value and, therefore, not routinely recommended.