Abstract
Although the number of patients with pleural malignant mesothelioma, having some relation to asbestos industries, has been increasing worldwide, the philosophies for the treatment are still con-troversially. The survival of the patients are not very much affected by current treatment. It is clear, however, that the histological type and stage of the disease, influence to the prognosis of patients. Adequate staging of the disease for surgical treatment is required, because pleuro-pneumonectomy is the most effective modality available now. Several classifications of the stage for malignant pleural mesothelioma have been proposed until now. Results of treatment must be correctly evaluated using an international classification of the stage. Recent reports suggest apparent improvement of results after treatment by multimodality combination of surgical intervention, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
