[Pleural mesothelioma. I: History, epidemiology, clinical aspects (symptoms, diagnosis)].
BACKGROUND
Although production and processing of asbestos have been prohibited for years, the incidence of mesothelioma of the pleura will rise in Western Europe. The incidence of mesothelioma will peak between the years 2010 and 2020. It will cause an estimated 250,000 deaths within the next 35 years.


METHODS
The fact that exposure to asbestos fibers may result in mesothelioma was first described in 1960. The risk of developing mesothelioma depends mainly on the type of asbestos fibers and the way asbestos is manufactured. Environmental eronite fibers in Central Turkey are the cause of endemic mesothelioma. The pathogenetic role of infection with simian virus 40 is still not determined. Thoracic radiation is of minor importance in the etiology of pleural mesothelioma.


METHODS
Between first symptoms of disease and diagnosis of mesothelioma often more than 6 months pass as clinical symptoms are rarely typical. Detection of early stages by invasive procedures and imaging is often very difficult. Histopathological distinction between adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma requires experienced pathologists. This implies that management of mesothelioma should only be performed in multidisciplinary cooperation in specialized centers.
Neumeister
W
W
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Abteilung für Pneumologie, Allergologie und Schlafmedizin, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. w.neumeister@kk-koblenz.de
Gillissen
A
A
Rasche
K
K
Müller
K M
KM
Schultze-Werninghaus
G
G
D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005544:Forecasting; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality
D001194:Asbestos
Pleuramesotheliom. Teil I: Geschichte, Epidemiologie, Klinik (Erscheinungsbild, Diagnostik).