title: Rarity of malignant mesothelioma prior to the widespread commercial introduction of asbestos: the Mount Sinai autopsy experience 1883-1910.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most malignant mesotheliomas are related to asbestos exposure. Whether malignant mesothelioma occurs in the absence of asbestos exposure remains unsettled. To address this question we reviewed a series of 2,025 autopsies performed at the Mount Sinai Hospital between 1883 and 1910, prior to the widespread commercial introduction of asbestos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective autopsy review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No cases of malignant mesothelioma were identified in 2,025 autopsies performed between 1883 and 1910.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malignant mesothelioma was rare prior to the widespread commercial introduction of asbestos.
authors: Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. james.strauchen@mssm.edu
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Strauchen
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality*; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history; D010994:Pleura; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos