Abstract
BackgroundWe examined characteristics of peritoneal (PEM) and pleural (PLM) mesothelioma in Lombardy, Italy. MethodsFrom the Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry we selected PEM (N=300) and PLM (N=5011) cases diagnosed in 2000–2014. We investigated asbestos exposure and presence of asbestosis or pleural plaques. ResultsIncidence rates (per 1,000,000 person-years, world standardized) of PEM were 1.2 (men) and 0.9 (women), compared with 22.6 and 8.4 for PLM.Asbestosis (both genders) and pleural plaques (men) were more frequent among PEM cases. Occupational asbestos exposure was similar in PEM and PLM cases. We found higher proportions of PEMs employed in the asbestos cement production. ConclusionThe higher frequency of pleural plaques in PEM cases confirm the association between asbestos and peritoneal mesothelioma. The higher proportions of asbestosis and of past employment in the asbestos-cement sector among PEM cases suggest a possible role of high exposures to asbestos in the peritoneal mesothelioma genesis.
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