• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.593-597
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• 1987

Mesothelioma is a primary tumor of the pleura. There are two forms of mesotheliomas; diffuse form and localized form. The majority of localized mesotheliomas are benign, but the tumor with pedicle recur at 20% after removal of it. Malignant localized fibrous mesothelioma is differential diagnosed pathologically and clinically with diffuse mesothelioma. Symptoms of localized mesothelioma are generally related to the size of the tumor. We presented one case of malignant localized fibrous mesothelioma. The patient was 32 years old female and chief complaints were dyspnea and dry cough. Sputum cytology and needle lung biopsy were not able to diagnose definitely the tumor. Explothoracotomy was carried out for definite tissue biopsy. At the time of operation, huge adult head size mass was in the right thoracic cavity. The surface of the mass was nodular, multilobular and had hard consistency. Pedicle was formed above first rib and its diameter was 4.5cm. There was no adhesion except to RUL. Frozen biopsy suggested mesothelioma. Extirpation of the mass, right upper lobectomy. and partial pleurectomy were carried out.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.840-843
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• 1985

Pleural mesothelioma which arise from pleura is relatively uncommon tumor. We are reporting 2 cases of pleural mesothelioma which were treated with surgical resection. First case, benign epithelial mesothelioma was confirmed incidentally after decortication due to localized pleural thickening. The second case, malignant mesothelial mesothelioma was diagnosed by examination of chest radiology, diagnostic pneumogram and pleural biopsy as malignancy which was treated with the resection of the tumor mass. In the first case, postoperative recurrence of tumor growth was found within 1.5 months after resection. In the section malignant case, no evidence of recurrence was noted even after 3 months of resection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.595-604
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• 1991

Pleural mesothelioma is usually divided into two forms of localized and diffuse type. Localized pleural fibrous mesothelioma is uncommon mesodermal neoplasm, which may occurs in both sexes and at the age of 50 years. This type of mesothelioma is usually asymptomatic and detected on routine chest X-ray and made fibrous tissue and shows of collagen fibers microscopically. Most localized fibrous mesothelioma arises from the visceral pleura and is well encapsulated and pedunculated mass. CT findings included well delineated, often lobulated, non-calcified soft tissue masses in close relation to a pleural space, associated pleural thickening, and absence of chest wall invasion and a peripheral or fissure location. Three cases of localized pleural fibrous mesothelioma diagnosed by resectional surgery were reported with the review of literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.786-791
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• 1984

Mesothelioma is relatively uncommon tumor compared to other thoracic tumors. It is interesting that there is a strong relationship between occurrence of malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, which was established during the last two decades. Malignant mesothelioma is discouraging in viewing its treatments and survival rates. Surgery with ancillary treatment, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, were still palliative, although encouraging results were reported. Between 1958 to 1983 at NMC, we have been experienced 6 cases of mesothelioma, confirmed by pathohistologic findings. The patients were distributed between 19 to 52 y-o age & were 5 males and 1 female. There was evidence of exposure to asbestos in 1 case. The method of operation were decortication [1], decortication with removal of tumor [1], pleuropneumonectomy with chemotherapy [1], chemotherapy [1], exploratory thoracotomy [1], and no treatment in 1 case due to private affairs. Histologic findings were 2 cases of benign mesothelioma type.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4849-4853
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• 2012

Relatively low numbers of malignant mesotheliomas have been reported from Eastern Asia. In order to explore the causes of this fact, the available data on mesothelioma incidence/mortality in five countries (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) were reviewed. Data on the industrial histories of the above countries were also examined. Mesothelioma incidence was low, despite a history of high shipbuilding and port activities, in which heavy exposure to asbestos generally has occurred. Underestimation of mesothelioma could partly explain the above discrepancy. Moreover, in some areas a sufficient latency period for mesothelioma development may have not yet elapsed, due to recent industrialization. However, other possibilities have to be considered. The cancer epidemiology in Eastern Asia differs deeply from that seen in Western countries, an indication of differences in etiologic factors of cancer as well as in co-factors. In addition, the oncogenic spectrum of asbestos is wide, and not completely defined. In a very different milieu from that of Western countries, asbestos could preferentially hit targets other than serosal membranes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.1 s.29
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• pp.77-86
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• 1990

Between 1977 and 1987, 20 patients with mesothelioma were treated at Severance Hospital. Data was gathered from medical charts at the time of hospitalization of mesothelioma patients and from a follow-up questionnaire by mail or telephone. The results acquired were as follows : 1. Among the 20 patients, 11 men and 9 women with mesothelioma were identified. The mean age at hospitalization was 47 years and 11 mesothelioma patients were known or presumed to be dead during the different observation periods. 2. Only one mesothelioma patient had a definite history of occupational asbestos exposure. 3. The sites of origin of mesothelioma were the pleura(13), peritoneum(2), pericardium(2), mediastinum (2), and pelvis(1). Common symptoms included dyspnea, chest pain, abdominal distension, etc. 4. Pathologically, mesotheliomas were divided into 14 malignant types and 6 benign types ; and histologically, 8 fibrous mesotheliomas and 3 epithelial mesotheliomas were shown. 5. There was a statistically significant difference in survival rate according to pathologic type and smoking status. In the groups with malignant mesothelioma, 50% survival time from first symptoms was 18 months and that from diagnosis was 11 months. Also, 75% survival time from diagnosis was 6 months in the smoking groups and 19 months in the non-smoking groups.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.357-360
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• 2009

Malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum is a rare neoplasm with a rapidly fatal course. The tumour arises from the mesothelial cells lining the pleura and peritoneum or, rarely, in the pericardium or tunica vaginalis. This neoplasm is characterized by being difficult to diagnose, having a rapid evolution and a poor response to therapy. Mesothelioma is very glucose avid, and malignant pleural mesothelioma has been reported concerning the utility of F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT. But little has been known about the imaging finding of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma on F-18 FDG PET/CT. We report a case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis of F-18 FDG PET/CT.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.290-295
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• 2018

Background: There is little information on the dose-response relationship between exposure to occupational carcinogenic agents and mesothelioma. This study aimed to investigate this association as well as the existence of agents other than asbestos that might cause mesothelioma. Methods: The Swedish component of the Nordic Occupational Cancer (NOCCA) study consists of 6.78 million individuals with detailed information on occupation. Mesothelioma diagnoses recorded in 1961-2009 were identified through linkage to the Swedish Cancer Registry. We determined cumulative exposure, time of first exposure, and maximum exposure intensity by linking data on occupation to the Swedish NOCCA job-exposure matrix, which includes 29 carcinogenic agents and corresponding exposure for 283 occupations. To assess the risk of mesothelioma, we used conditional logistic regression models to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: 2,757 mesothelioma cases were identified in males, including 1,416 who were exposed to asbestos. Univariate analyses showed not only a significant excess risk for maximum exposure intensity, with a hazard ratio of 4.81 at exposure levels 1.25-2.0 fb/ml but also a clear dose-response effect for cumulative exposure with a 30-, 40-, and 50-year latency time. No convincing excess risk was revealed for any of the other carcinogenic agents included in the Swedish NOCCA job-exposure matrix. Conclusion: When considering asbestos exposure, past exposure, even for short periods, might be enough to cause mesothelioma of the pleura later in life.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.295-299
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• 1986

Pleural mesothelioma is the tumor of the cell of mesodermal origin lining the pleura. It is relatively uncommon tumor and its localized form is much rarer than diffuse form. Authors experienced a localized mesothelioma in a patient who was 44 year old male worker at copper plumbing field for 20 years, and admitted due to incidentally found abnormal chest X-ray. Exploratory thoracotomy was done and a 23 x 16 x 8 cm sized solitary mass was resected with adherent right middle lobe. Low grade malignancy of the pleural mesothelioma was confirmed by the pathology. We report the case with a literature review.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.538-541
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• 2009

Humans have a long history of asbestos use. There are reports from the Roman era, of asbestos victims among the slaves who worked in asbestos mines. The fact that asbestos can induce lung cancer and mesothelioma was verified epidemiologically in the 1960s. Asbestos related diseases are predominantly occupational in nature but can be caused by environmental exposure. Environmental mesothelioma is mainly associated with tremolite asbestos and this information comes from many countries including Turkey, Greece, Corsica, New Caledonia and Cyprus. In 1993, the first case of mesothelioma in Korea was reported in an asbestos textile worker. Recently, some asbestos disease victims who lived near an asbestos factory have their cases before the courts. A series of recent asbestos-related events in Korea, for example, the shocking revelation of asbestos containing talc in baby powders have caused the general public to become aware of the health risks of asbestos exposure. Asbestos related diseases are characterized by a long latency period, especially, mesothelioma which has no threshold of safety. Hence the best strategy for preventing asbestos related diseases is to decrease asbestos exposure levels to as low as possible.