Malignant mesothelioma usually singles out elderly people, but in rare instances, young adults or even kids may develop the cancer.
It’s a heartbreaking diagnosis for someone so young, especially considering the poor survival rates.
Fortunately, cytoreduction with HIPEC is a source of hope.
Doctors from multiple facilities reported seven cases of pediatric patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from 1994-2014. The seven cases involved patients younger than 21 years of age, still with a lot of life to live.
Seven Cases of Pediatric Peritoneal Mesothelioma
All seven underwent cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Five of them (71%) are still alive at least five years later.
The only variance is three of the patients received systemic chemotherapy prior to surgery. Otherwise, they were similar cases. The Peritoneal Cancer Index scores ranged from 6-25 (6 means a stage 1 disease and 25 means a stage 3 disease).
Two of the patients unfortunately passed away, 14 months and 26 months following surgery. The other five have all surpassed six-year survival marks. One patient is at 281 months post surgery, which equals an astounding 23 years and five months.
Cytoreduction with HIPEC for Survival
Cytoreduction with HIPEC is the star student among mesothelioma surgeries. The operation is lengthy and taxing, but it has the best survival rates. Depending on the surgeon and hospital performing the surgery, the five-year survival rate is 40-50%.
Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a thin layer of tissue wrapping around the abdominal cavity. This tissue lining rests just inside the stomach. Its proximity to organs within the abdomen requires immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Cytoreductive surgery involves removing the entire peritoneum, along with added cancerous tissue found in the abdomen. HIPEC is a heated liquid chemotherapy that washes the abdomen.
If you have peritoneal mesothelioma and want more information, contact registered nurse Karen Ritter. She can be reached at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com. She’ll help you find a peritoneal mesothelioma surgeon to perform cytoreductive surgery.
Sources & Author
- Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with cisplatin in pediatric patients with peritoneal mesothelioma: a single institution experience and long term follow up. International Journal of Hyperthermia. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34139940/. Accessed: 06/21/2021.
Sources & Author
