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Non‐asbestos‐related malignant mesothelioma. A review
Author(s) -
Peterson Jack T.,
Greenberg S. Donald,
Buffler Patricia A.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19840901)54:5<951::aid-cncr2820540536>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - asbestos , mesothelioma , medicine , pathology , metallurgy , materials science
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but increasingly important, neoplasm. The existing English‐language medical literature concerning non‐asbestos‐related malignant mesotheliomas was reviewed for evidence of other agents associated with the induction of malignant mesothelioma. Both animal and human data were reviewed. In most reviews of malignant mesothelioma, there are a significant proportion of cases without documented asbestos exposure (range, 0% to 87%). Furthermore, there are several fairly well‐documented agents other than asbestos that induce malignant mesothelioma in animals, and strong evidence exists that such is the case in man. In reviews of malignant mesothelioma, the percentage of cases with asbestos exposure varies, but a significant number are apparently not asbestos related. It is believed that sufficient evidence exists to suggest that nonasbestos agents can induce malignant mesotheliomas in man, and additional epidemiologic studies in this area are needed.