BJMO - volume 18, issue 1, february 2024
I. Demedts MD, PhD, J. Van Meerbeeck MD, PhD, A. Awada MD, PhD, T. Berghmans MD, PhD
All.Can Belgium is multi-stakeholder, non-profit organisation working to improve the efficiency of cancer care by focusing on what matters to patients. In this spirit, they bring together healthcare professionals, representatives from patient organisations, policymakers, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry. Over the last decade, we have witnessed a dramatic evolution in the treatment landscape for patients with lung cancer. However, to have a more profound impact on the lung cancer burden, these therapeutic advances need to be coupled with effective strategies for lung cancer screening, prevention, and patient support. By leveraging on the collaboration between healthcare professionals, patient organisations, policy makers and the pharmaceutical industry, the Lung Cancer Working Group established by All.Can Belgium wants to address the most prominent needs in the care pathway for patients with lung cancer. On the 16th of November 2023, the official launch of the Lung Cancer Working Group was celebrated with a symposium coupling lectures on pertinent issues in lung cancer with patient testimonials.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(1):33–9)
Read moreBJMO - volume 8, issue 5, december 2014
B. Hiddinga MD, P. Van Schil MD, PhD, J. Van Meerbeeck MD, PhD
Malignant pleural mesothelioma remains a lethal disease and its incidence is expected to increase until the 2020’s. Disease extent and performance status at diagnosis are the clinical prognostic factors, besides epithelioid subtype which confers a better outcome than the less common sarcomatoid one. Currently, only administration of palliative chemotherapy has a proven impact on outcome. Treatment of early stage malignant pleural mesothelioma should be offered in a multimodality setting, including at least a systemic and a locoregional treatment. The role of radical surgery remains controversial. Optimal treatment schedules are not defined yet. The standard first line palliative treatment consists of platinum in combination with an antifolate, either pemetrexed or raltitrexed. As the outcome in first line remains modest, it is ethical to include these patients in clinical trials comprising a chemotherapy backbone. For maintenance therapy there’s still no standard in malignant pleural mesothelioma. In second line treatment, referral of patients for inclusion in trials is highly recommended.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2014;8(5):197–205)
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