[Peritoneal mesothelioma in asbestosis]

The clinical and pathoanatomical findings from a 46 year old man with peritoneal mesothelioma in pulmonary asbestosis are described. The tumor arose 13 years after termination of a 10 year professional exposure to asbestos dust. The findings of asbestos bodies in the hilar and tracheobronchial lymph nodes is interpreted as evidence for transport of asbestos bodies in the lymphatic vessels from the lungs to the peritoneal cavity. In the case in question, numerous histological slides showed no asbestos bodies in the tumor tissue itself. The pathogenesis of mesotheliomas following exposure to asbestos is discussed.