Malignant pleural mesothelioma: Facts & survival rate

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. Classically described as rare neoplasms, malignant pleural mesothelioma is considered an almost incurable tumour with increasing incidence worldwide, mainly as a result of previous exposure to asbestos – its chief risk factor. Objectives: Characterize patients with pleural mesotheliomas, determine the time to progression and establish median survival rate. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of all cases of pleural mesotheliomas diagnosed in our Department of Pulmonology, between the years of 2000 and 2009. Results: Pleural mesotheliomas were diagnosed in 25 patients, 4 females and 22 males. Their age average was 62 years (minimum 40; maximum 76). The majority, 53%, had a history of tobacco exposure (28% were ex-smokers while 25% were current smokers). In 44% of all cases there was recognised exposure to asbestos fibbers in the past. Twenty one patients presented the epithelial type of mesothelioma and only four had the mixed type. Their therapeutic approach included chemotherapy and in 21 patients local adjuvant radiotherapy was used. The time to progression was 7 months, median survival 11 months and one-year survival rate of 44%. Conclusions: The incidence of pleural mesotheliomas was much higher in males than in females. Previous exposure to tobacco and asbestos fibbers was significant. Pleural mesotheliomas have a dismal prognosis, with a high mortality rate and low median survival time.