The Columbia Protocol - How It Differs From Traditional Surgical Approaches To Treatment Of Pleural Mesothelioma
The Columbia Protocol is a clinical trial in which exploratory thorascopic surgery is used to administer intraoperative intrapleural chemotherapy. It differs from traditional surgical approaches in that it is less invasive and does not involve removal of the lung. A mediport-attached catheter is placed in the pleural space to allow for chemotherapy treatments post surgery. The goal is to achieve regression of the tumor by local therapy in combination with minimal surgery and radiation. The catheter is removed after several weeks, and the tumor is biopsied to assess the effects of the treatment.
This clinical trial is meant to demonstrate that extremely debilitating lung-removing surgeries may not be necessary in the future for the desired results in treating pleural mesothelioma.
