Pleural and pericardial mesothelioma in a general teaching hospital during the last fourteen years.
BACKGROUND
Mesothelioma is not common in Taiwan; its clinical manifestations and biological behavior in the Chinese patients have thus rarely been discussed.


METHODS
The chart records of mesothelioma patients collected from 1979 to 1992 in Veterans General Hospital-Taipei were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
Sixteen thoracic mesotheliomas were diagnosed in 15 patients, including 5 benign fibrous mesotheliomas, 1 malignant pericardial mesothelioma and 10 malignant pleural mesotheliomas. One patient suffered from benign fibrous mesothelioma initially, and the disease transformed into malignant mesothelioma 5 years later. Symptoms of benign fibrous mesothelioma were nonspecific and all 5 cases occurred in lower pleural cavities. One case presented with repeated hypoglycemic coma and the initial diagnosis was hepatoma. History of asbestos exposure probably occurred in 3 of 10 malignant pleural mesotheliomas. The median survival of malignant pleural mesothelioma after onset of symptoms was 14 months. Survival seemed better in epithelial type and those who received surgical treatment of malignant mesothelioma.


CONCLUSIONS
The symptoms of mesothelioma were nonspecific. Benign fibrous mesothelioma should be considered in patients with palpable liver and hypoglycemic symptoms. Malignant transformation can occur in benign fibrous mesothelioma. Survival of malignant mesothelioma seems better in epithelial type and in those who received surgical treatment.
Chest Department, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Y M
YM
Chen
R P
RP
Perng
M H
MH
Huang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001194:Asbestos