Occupational Health Department, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.
Faculty of Pharmacy, Titu Maiorescu University, 040441 Bucharest, Romania.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 10;19(22):14763. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192214763.
Asbestos use started to be gradually banned in Europe from 1991 onwards, and there are currently strict occupational exposure limits for asbestos. However, malignant mesothelioma has a long latency time (in some cases up to 50-60 years), so the risks related to asbestos exposure should not be forgotten. Considering the increased risk of lung cancer following the inhalation of asbestos fibers, lifetime health monitoring should be considered in people occupationally exposed to asbestos, with an emphasis on the respiratory system. An assessment of their occupational history should be performed rigorously, especially in the areas with a history of asbestos production/use, as this is a key element for an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This case report presents a near-missed case of occupational pleural malignant mesothelioma. The latency time between the first asbestos exposure and the diagnosis of occupational pleural malignant mesothelioma was 49 years. The accurate diagnosis was made two years after the first symptoms appeared.
从 1991 年开始,欧洲逐渐开始禁止使用石棉,目前石棉的职业接触限值非常严格。然而,恶性间皮瘤潜伏期很长(某些情况下可达 50-60 年),因此不应忘记与石棉接触相关的风险。鉴于吸入石棉纤维会增加患肺癌的风险,应考虑对接触石棉的人群进行终生健康监测,重点关注呼吸系统。应严格评估他们的职业史,特别是在有石棉生产/使用历史的地区,因为这是早期诊断和适当治疗的关键因素。本病例报告介绍了一例险些错过的职业性胸膜恶性间皮瘤病例。首次接触石棉与诊断为职业性胸膜恶性间皮瘤之间的潜伏期为 49 年。首次出现症状两年后才做出准确诊断。