Incidence and etiology of peritoneal mesotheliomas

A total of 70 malignant and 4 benign peritoneal mesotheliomas were diagnose d by the German Mesothelioma Registry between 1992 and 1998. Malignant meso theliomas developed mainly in men (55/70); only one man had a benign perito neal alteration. Age at first diagnosis of malignant mesotheliomas is about 59 years; the women a re on average 4 years younger than the men. Mean sur vival time ranges about 1 year; in 6 of 38 patients longer survival times o f up to 7 years are known. The epitheloid subtype predominates, but no effe ct on survival time is noticed. The percentage of patients with combined as bestos-associated lung fibrosis is higher than that for pleural mesotheliom as;these patients become ill about 6.5 years earlier. The latency period is 36 years on average. For most patients asbestos exposure is related to the ir occupation mainly in metal industries, asbestos industries, and in the b uilding trade. There is no evidence for an induction of benign peritoneal a lterations by asbestos dust.