The timing of chemotherapy in the management plan for medically operable early-stage malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Introduction: Trimodality therapy (including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy) represents an important management approach of early-stage malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The oncological value, as well as the proper sequence of the three modalities, is still under investigations. Areas Covered: The article covers the timing of chemotherapy in the management plan with either a neoadjuvant approach or adjuvant approach. It evaluates also how to select patients for induction chemotherapy and how to assess the response to treatment. Expert Opinion: Management of patients with early-stage MPM must be completed in a multidisciplinary team in tertiary centers. Availability of newer prognostic and response assessment tools should facilitate the use of induction chemotherapy as well as the selection of patients who might benefit from radical surgery.