Radiation therapy of mesothelioma: the Heidelberg experience and future aspects.

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but fatal tumour. Numerous attempts to find effective treatment approaches have, in general, been disappointing. To date, the most promising treatment is surgery, or surgery in combination with radio and chemotherapy as a part of a multidisciplinary approach. Preliminary results from clinical trials evaluating intensity modulated radiotherapy are encouraging. Further randomised trials are proposed.