Mesotelioma maligno: factores de riesgo, experiencia en el Hospital General de México

Background: Malignant mesothelioma is a neoplasm with a poor prognosis. It is linked with asbestos contact; however, there are cases without this history. We undertook this study to investigate the relationship of asbestos exposure and other factors with malignant mesothelioma. methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of histologically confirmed cases of malignant mesothelioma, familiar history of neoplasm, tobacco smoking, exposure to wood smoke and to asbestos. Logistic regression analysis was used with odds ratios. results: Sixty one cases of malignant mesothelioma were confirmed histopathologically: 41 males and 20 females. Mean age was 56 ± 13 years; 56 cases (91.8%) corresponded to epithelial malignant mesothelioma, three sarcomatous (4.9%), one desmoplastic and one biphasic. One in eight subjects (13.1%) had prior exposure to asbestos. Logistic regression model was used with four variables: family history of cancer, tobacco smoking, wood smoke and asbestos exposure, the last one with an OR = 3.083 and p >0.05. No other variables found to be a risk factor for malignant mesothelioma. Conclusions: Asbestos exposure is a risk factor for malignant mesothelioma, which is confirmed in this study. However, it is important to extend the investigation of other possible causal factors of this disease.