[An analysis of 310 cases of pleural mesothelioma].
The analysis of 310 cases of pleural mesothelioma collected from 53 hospitals in 22 provinces in China is presented. There were 200 male and 110 female patients, and the median of their age was 44.2 years (5-83), with a mean 45.2 years. Only 9 cases (2.9%) with definite history of asbestos exposure. The most common symptoms at onset of disease were chest pain, short of breath and cough, but it was fever at clinical presentation in 10.2%, and arthralgia in 3.2% of patients. Pleural effusion was seen in 60.3% of patients, while 3/4 were bloody. The most common roentgenological findings were solitary or multiple pleural nodular lesions. There were 86 cases (27.7%) diagnosed as solitary type, and the others diffuse type. Histologically, there were 32.5% as epithelial type and 53.4% as fibrotic type, and 14.1% as mixed type, two cellular components could be seen simultaneously or sequentially during the course of disease. Follow-up of 154 cases received surgery, chemotherapy and irradiation, revealed that 37(24%) survived more than 3 years, the longest being 22 years after treatment. The possible relationship between asbestos exposure and pleural mesothelioma in China, clinical features, criteria of diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy