[French mesothelioma register 1965-1978 (author's transl)].

A mesothelioma register was initiated in France in 1975 to record pathologists, cases diagnosed since 1965. These cases have been accepted as definite mesothelioma after histological reexamination by the mesothelioma panel. Histories of asbestos exposure have been recorded using a standardized questionnaire. Among 699 cases reported, 296 were confirmed and 79 excluded by the panel. Twenty per cent of cases were females. Tumour was located in the pleura in 96% of cases. Age at death was lower for the mesothelioma group than for the general population. A linear increase of annual incidence since 1965 has been observed. Mapping of cases showed irregular distribution with areas without any case. Distribution of cases according to asbestos exposure was the following: definite occupational history 50%, definite non-occupational 3%, possible occupational 31%, undiscovered 16%. Distribution of cases according to the latency period showed a two peaks-curve, median being 36 years. The obvious under-reporting of cases and the absence of control group greatly affected the validity of some results.