Peritoneal mesothelioma in Italy: Trends and geography of mortality and incidence.
BACKGROUND
Peritoneal mesothelioma, a very rare and lethal malignancy, has not been investigated as extensively as pleural mesothelioma, although the role of asbestos exposure in its occurrence is well-known. Data from Italy are relevant, as it was the largest European asbestos producer, and asbestos was widely used in many economic activities.


METHODS
A population-based mortality and incidence analysis was performed in Italy. Data sources were the National Multiple-causes-of-death Database (1995-2010) and the Italian Mesothelioma Register (1993-2008).


RESULTS
We found an increasing trend of age standardized mortality rates in men, but no clear trend in women; moreover, we showed significant risks of death in several northern regions, formerly heavy asbestos users; finally, mortality/incidence ratios similar for both genders (about 0.8) were estimated.


CONCLUSIONS
The study, based on national data, showed a higher risk of mortality from and incidence of peritoneal mesothelioma in areas with formerly heavy exposure to asbestos.
Unit of Statistics, National Institute of Public Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Rome, Italy.
Susanna
S
Conti
Unit of Statistics, National Institute of Public Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Rome, Italy.
Giada
G
Minelli
Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Valeria
V
Ascoli
Occupational Medicine Department, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) research area, Italian National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM), Rome, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Marinaccio
Occupational Medicine Department, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) research area, Italian National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM), Rome, Italy.
Michela
M
Bonafede
Unit of Statistics, National Institute of Public Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), Rome, Italy.
Valerio
V
Manno
National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), Rome, Italy.
Roberta
R
Crialesi
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France.
Kurt
K
Straif
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012042:Registries; D055815:Young Adult
asbestos; incidence; mesothelioma; mortality; peritoneal cancer; population study