Extrapleural Pneumonectomy in the Treatment of Epithelioid Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Novel Prognostic Implications of Combined N1 and N2 Nodal Involvement Based on Experience in 529 Patients

This retrospective review of pts undergoing complete resection by extrapleural pneumonectomy 1998-2011 for malignant mesothelioma focused on stage predictors of survival.  Surgical mortality was 5%.  Overall survival at 5 years was 14%, and median survival was 18 mos.   Median survival for N1 or N2 disease was 17 and 13 mos, respectively.  Nodal staging is important for estimating prognosis and for patient selection.