Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment
of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma are the result of a systematic review of the literature guided by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) methodology. Recommendations for the management of this asbestos-related malignancy have been made on the basis of the available scientific evidence.
The Asbestos and Diseases Research Institute, and the national team of experts involved in the preparation of the Guidelines intended that they become a source of reference for health practitioners and consumers. Guidelines are guides and not rules. A good approach is to be fully aware of appropriate guidelines before making management decisions.
These Guidelines will assist health practitioners:
- To make adequate steps in the diagnostic process, and
- To identify the prerequisites needed to draft an optimal treatment proposal.
These guidelines were approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the NHMRC on 2 July 2013, under Section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992. In approving these guidelines the NHMRC considers that they meet the NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines. This approval was valid for a period of 5 years until July 2018.