Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma in an urban hospital: Clinical spectrum and trend in incidence over time

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700160405· OSTI ID:7167920

Shepherd, K E; Oliver, L C; Kazemi, H ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (USA)

This retrospective analysis reviews the clinical experience of a major urban referral hospital with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma during the 14-year period from 1973 through 1986. Seventy-five cases of definite or equivocal mesothelioma were identified. There were four cases of primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, seven cases of benign fibrous mesothelioma, and 64 cases of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. In 43 cases (67%) of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, there was historic evidence of asbestos exposure. In 21 cases (33%), there was no known history of asbestos exposure. An increase in annual incidence of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma was observed over the study period, from three cases in 1973 to ten cases in 1986. Despite greater awareness of this disease, the diagnosis remains a difficult one to establish given the nonspecific symptoms, signs and radiographic appearance, variable histologic appearance, and poor diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy. Thoracotomy, thoracoscopy, and CT-guided needle biopsies gave higher yields and are the diagnostic measures of choice when diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is suspected.

• OSTI ID: 7167920
• Journal Information: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA), Vol. 16:4; ISSN 0271-3586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
DIAGNOSIS
PLEURA
ASBESTOS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DISEASE INCIDENCE
PATIENTS
PERITONEUM
URBAN AREAS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
MEDICINE
MEMBRANES
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIOLOGY
SEROUS MEMBRANES
TOMOGRAPHY
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)