• The primary outcome for the study will be the proportion of patients treated as per protocol without treatment related mortality. [ Time Frame: After completion of therapy: every 4 wks for 3 mos, then every 6 wks for 6 mos, then every 2 mos for 12 mos, then every 3 mos for 2 yrs, then every 6 mos ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

• To evaluate: acute and late morbidity related to treatment; local & distant recurrence, disease free & overall survival; identify factors/parameters associated with increased risk of treatment morbidity [ Time Frame: After completion of therapy: every 4 wks for 3 mos, then every 6 wks for 6 mos, then every 2 mos for 12 mos, then every 3 mos for 2 yrs, then every 6 mos ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

The study is a phase I/II prospective single cohort clinical feasibility study. 25 patients with early stage resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma will be enrolled into the study. Patients on the study will receive IMRT for approximately 1 week of 5 daily treatments. 1 week post-RT, they will proceed with an extrapleural pneumonectomy. If the mediastinal lymph nodes that are removed during surgery are positive for tumour cells, 3 cycles of chemotherapy, consisting of raltitrexed and cisplatin, will be given 6-12 weeks post-surgery. Before and during treatment, side effects will be assessed. After treatment, follow up visits will be conducted every 1 to 2 months for the first year, and every 3 months for the second year. At each visit, a history and physical examination will be performed and ECOG performance status will be assessed. Routine tests will include CBC, liver profile, creatinine and chest x-ray. CT thorax and abdomen will be done at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Additional test may be done at the discretion of the oncologist if the patient becomes symptomatic. The study will evaluate the feasibility and safety of short pre-operative RT, and may help confirm the intraoperative seeding hypothesis. Preoperative RT may also reduce the risk of both local and distant spread and, ultimately, improve overall survival.

By shortening overall treatment time, it may also improve patient compliance and convenience. We may be able to give chemotherapy only to patients that are at highest risk and avoid it in others.