Screening and pathological diagnosis of asbestosis and mesothelioma: a review

X-ray screenings of workers employed in asbestos manufacturing in Hungary revealed 255 cases of asbestosis and 3 cases of malignant mesothelioma. The pathological diagnosis of asbestosis is not very difficult. The diagnosis of mesothelioma, however, is fraught with problems. To identify mesothelioma we use histochemical reactions with PAS diastase digestion and immunohistochemical reactions for cytokeratin, vimentin, and CEA. The PAS and CEA reactions are negative but the vimentin and cytokeratin are positive in mesothelioma. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies may contribute to the better understanding of the pathogenesis and, thus, open new perspectives in our understanding of mesotheliomas.