[Malignant mesothelioma: clinical and radiological description of 45 cases with and without asbestos exposure].
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to identify and describe the main symptoms, clinical presentation, and radiographic changes in malignant mesothelioma (MM) patients.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical and X-ray records of all patients diagnosed with MM, admitted between 1991 and 1998 to the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), which is a governmental institution specialized in chest disease in Mexico City. The following data were collected: Age, occupation, asbestos exposure, latency, family history of cancer, clinical symptoms, and X-ray changes. Data are presented as percentages by sex and age group.


RESULTS
We found 45 cases of MM; in 80% of them a history of asbestos exposure could not be documented. The 51-60 years age group had the highest frequency of MM. Dispnea and chest pain were the presenting symptoms in most patients. Pleural effusion and pleural thickening were the X-ray abnormalities observed in 75% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical and radiographic findings among patients with MM without asbestos exposure were similar to those with a history of asbestos exposure.
García-López
M P
MP
Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Secretaría de Salud, México.
Barrera-Rodríguez
R
R
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001194:Asbestos
Mesotelioma maligno: descripción clínica y radiológica de 45 casos con y sin exposición a asbestos.