A Retrospective Study to Explore Prognostic Factors of Short Survival in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma upon the Time of Admission to Palliative Care Unit

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study investigated prognostic factors of short survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) upon the time of their admission to the Palliative Care Unit (PCU). Method: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 12 patients with MPM, who died at the PCU of our hospital from January 2016 to April 2018. According to the classification of survival period by previous predictor model, these patients were classified into three Groups, Group A less than 13 days, Group B between 14 and 55 days, and Group C more than 56 days. Results: The number of patients was 5 in Group A, 5 in Group B, and 2 in Group C, respectively. Hemoptysis was seen in 40% of patients of Group A only and oxygen inhalation was necessary for all the patients of Group A. Dysphagia and bilateral pleural involvement were seen in 80% of Group A and in 60% of Group B. Pneumonia was seen in 60% of Group A and in 20% of Group B. The above four factors were not seen in Group C. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that hemoptysis, dysphagia, bilateral pleural involvement, pneumonia, and oxygen inhalation are possibly prognostic factors of short survival of patients with MPM upon their admission to PCU.