(Outcome of using Combined Modality Treatment for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer mainly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a natural occurring mineral which was widely used in the construction and shipbuilding industries, especially in thermal and acoustic insulation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates asbestos-related disease (ARD) accounts for 92250 deaths per year globally therefore asbestos is banned in developed countries. In the last 10 years, the incidence of MPM has increased slightly, mainly due to the lag time of 30–50 years after exposure to asbestos with male: female ratio has changed from 1:1 to 4:1 and it is expected that the incidence of MPM was continue to rise till approximately 2020. In the current study male: female ratio is 2:1. In Egypt, the total estimated cases are 207, 238 and 456 in 2020, 2025 and 2050 respectively (Ibrahim et al., 2014). Symptoms that Patients with suspected MPM often have include dyspnea and chest pain; they may also have pleural effusion, fatigue, insomnia, cough, chest wall mass, loss of appetite and weight loss.