A CLINICAL STUDY OF MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Background: Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but rapidly fatal and aggressive tumor of the pleura and peritoneum with limited knowledge of its natural history. Methods: 100 patients with histopathological MM diagnosis were included. The data obtained from patient files were recorded on standard forms, prepared in advance. Age, gender, hometown, residence, asbestos usage history, latent period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis, symptoms, symptom duration, diagnosis date, diagnostic method, localization, histopathological type, routine laboratory results, stage, karnofsky performance score (KPS), treatment regimen, pleurodesis, treatment response, date of death and survival times of patients were all recorded on the forms. Results: The mean age of patients 52.31±12.36 Yrs. 62 patients were male and 38 female. Environmental asbestos exposure was determined in 75.00% of patients At diagnosis, 76.00% patients had dyspnea; 71.00% weight loss; and 64.00% chest pain. A total of 48.00% patients were smokers. Mean survival time was found to be 9.3 months in our study. Conclusion: MM related to asbestos exposure is seen frequently in Southern Rajastan. Patients present with the typical clinical features of dyspnea, weight loss, and chest pain. Keywords: MM, Absestos, Dyspnea.