Peritoneal mesothelioma: current understanding and management

Can J Surg, Vol. 52, No. 1, February 2009 59 M esothelioma is a rapidly progressing, asbestos-related tumour. This tumour was once rare and is now showing an increasing incidence worldwide following the vast mining of asbestos, which peaked in the 1970s. Presently, although asbestos-related activities have been curtailed in most countries, the enormous historical production and use of asbestos in the form of various building materials and commercial products have resulted in millions of people being exposed to asbestos and a proportion of them now having asbestos-related diseases. In Canada, mining and exporting asbestos to developing countries is still ongoing. The diagnosis of mesothelioma occurs in the fourth to sixth decade of life. There is a preponderance toward the male sex. This is thought to be caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. In Canada, there is a rising trend in the number of men receiving diagnoses of mesothelioma each year. In 2003, there were 344 diagnoses recorded, a marked increase from 153 diagnoses recorded Correspondence to: Professor D.L. Morris Department of Surgery St. George Hospital Kogarah, NSW 2217 Sydney, Australia fax 02 9113 3997 [email protected] CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION FORMATION MÉDICALE CONTINUE