Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
7482442 
Book/Book Chapter 
Epidemiology of mesothelioma 
Boffetta, P; Donato, F 
2020 
Springer 
Cham, Switzerland 
Occupational cancers 
379-391 
English 
WOS:000665137300023 
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare but very severe neoplasm that affects primarily the pleura and the peritoneum, and very rarely also the pericardium, the tunica vaginalis of the testis and the ovary. An increased risk of mesothelioma has been demonstrated in many occupational groups exposed to asbestos, with higher risk for exposure to amphiboles such as crocidolite and amosite than to chrysotile.

Current models of asbestos-related mesothelioma imply that time since first exposure is the key determinant of subsequent risk that does not seem to be greatly modified by subsequent exposures and by cessation of exposure, even if there are relative few data on risk shape after cessation of asbestos exposure.

Following the implementation of exposure control measures in most industrialized countries to reduce the incidence of this neoplasm, the number of workers with heavy asbestos exposure and high risk of mesothelioma, who were employed in asbestos mining, manufacturing, and application, has dramatically decreased. Potential occupational exposure to asbestos has generally decreased, but it remains prevalent in many occupational settings, and in particular in the construction industry. A fraction of mesotheliomas, however, originates in patients without apparent occupational exposure to asbestos. This is probably explained by lack of sensitivity in the assessment of occupational exposures, the effect of environmental asbestos, including natural sources as well as environmental contamination from industrial uses, and the existence of a small number of cases arising independently from asbestos.

The only other established cause of mesothelioma, for a small proportion of cases, is ionizing radiation. No other important causes of the disease have been identified. 
asbestos; mesothelioma; epidemiology; occupational exposure; pleura neoplasm; peritoneum neoplasm 
2nd 
Anttila, S; Boffetta, P 
9783030307653