Introduction
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumor of significant aggressiveness related to asbestos exposure.
Aims
The objectives are to describe the characteristics of pleural fluid (PF), diagnostic methods, treatment and survival of all cases diagnosed of PM from May 2008 to December 2021.
Methods
Retrospective observational study. Quantitative variables are described by mean and standard deviation (SD). Survival analysis is expressed by the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results
70 patients were recruited, 53 men(76%) with a mean age of 71 years(SD 78.3) and smoking history in 21(39%) patients. Asbestos exposure was found in 43(61%) cases.The characteristics of PF, immunohistochemistry and the annual incidence of PM are reflected in Table I and II.The most frequent symptoms at diagnosis were dyspnea 41(59%), followed by chest pain 37(53%),cough 26(37%) and weight loss 16(23%).The diagnostic methods used were thoracoscopy 41(59%), image-guided pleural biopsy 11(21%), thoracotomy 5(17%), thoracentesis 3(4%). The clinical staging obtained were: I 36(50%), II 6(9%), III 11(16%) and IV 18(25%). The most frequent histological lines were epithelioid 52(73%), mixed 10(14%), sarcomatoid 8(13%). The most frequently treatments received were chemotherapy in 51(73%) patients, followed by palliative treatment 11(16%) and surgical treatment 8(11%). Pleurodesis was performed in 21(30%) patients. The median survival was 10 months.
Conclusion
1)MPM predominates in men of average age 71 years being dyspnea and chest pain the most frequent form of manifestation.2) The most commonly diagnostic method used was thoracoscopy, with the predominant histological line being the epithelioid.3) The median survival was 10 months.