Malignant mesothelioma in Japan: analysis of registered autopsy cases.
In the Annual of the Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan, issued by the Japanese Society of Pathology from 1958 to 1996, a total of 1,846 (0.17%) malignant mesothelioma cases (1,287 male, 558 female, 1 unknown) were registered among 1,056,259 autopsy cases. The frequency of mesothelioma (number of cases/total autopsy cases) was 0.10% (461/440,334) for the term 1958-1979, 0.18% (716/390,124) for 1980-1989, and 0.30% (669/225,801) for 1990-1996; the frequency of cases increased significantly over the time periods (p < .0001). Among 1,785 cases for which tumor sites were ascertained, there were 1,213 pleural mesothelioma (68.0%), 431 peritoneal (24.1%), 108 pericardial (6.1%), 6 tunica vaginalis testis (0.3%), and 28 "others" (1.6%). Histological cell type was noted in 598 cases; 245 (41.0%) were epithelial, 168 (28.1%) were biphasic, and 185 (30.9%) were sarcomatous. Seventy-three (0.007%) cases of malignant mesothelioma with asbestosis were found during the entire 39-y period. The frequency of those with asbestosis (number of cases/total autopsy cases) was 0.001% (5/440,334) for the term 1958-1979, 0.006% (27/390,124) for 1980-1989, and 0.018% (41/225,801) for 1990-1996; this increase over time was statistically significant (p < .0001). Researchers expect that cases of asbestos-related mesothelioma will increase in Japan in the future. Tumor sites and histological cell types of mesothelioma with asbestosis did not differ from those in individuals without asbestosis.
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
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Murai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010496:Pericardium; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*