Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim was to identify and describe the main symptoms, clinical presentation, and radiographic changes in malignant mesothelioma (MM) patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

We reviewed the medical and X-ray records of all patients diagnosed with MM, admitted between 1991 and 1998 to the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), which is a governmental institution specialized in chest disease in Mexico City. The following data were collected: Age, occupation, asbestos exposure, latency, family history of cancer, clinical symptoms, and X-ray changes. Data are presented as percentages by sex and age group.

RESULTS:

We found 45 cases of MM; in 80% of them a history of asbestos exposure could not be documented. The 51-60 years age group had the highest frequency of MM. Dispnea and chest pain were the presenting symptoms in most patients. Pleural effusion and pleural thickening were the X-ray abnormalities observed in 75% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

The clinical and radiographic findings among patients with MM without asbestos exposure were similar to those with a history of asbestos exposure.