[Pleural mesothelioma. Problems, therapy and results].

Pleural mesothelioma caused by asbestos is listed as an occupational disease in the Federal Republic of Germany since 1977. Cases of diffuse pleural mesothelioma must always be suspected to be caused by asbestos. The examination of dust particles in the lung can give a final answer to the question whether asbestos plays an important role in the etiology of a certain case or not. Clinical findings, therapy, and prognosis of pleural mesothelioma are demonstrated by the review of 17 cases of malignant and 3 cases of benign tumors. One case with extraordinary long survival time (still living after 3 years) after probatory thoracotomy only, shows that prognosis even in diffuse pleural mesothelioma must not necessarily always be that bad as generally considered.