Familial clustering of malignant mesothelioma

A family with a remarkable aggregation of malignant mesothelioma is described. The father, 3 brothers, and a sister all died of the condition. The family and epidemiologic histories are reviewed. Random occupational asbestos exposure in the building industry probably occurred in 4 of the 5 cases. All of the patients were smokers. There is a low incidence of malignant mesothelioma in the area where they resided. These observations suggest that over and above the smoking and asbestos exposure, heredity may be an important predisposing factor in the genesis of this tumor.