[Prevalence of pleural malignant mesothelioma in Poland in 1980-1993]

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is subject of special interest for environmental epidemiologists due to its proven cause-effect relationship with the exposure to asbestos dust, particularly crocidolite. The paper discusses the prevalence trends and geographical distribution of pleural mesothelioma in Poland based on the death rate analysis. In 1993 the crude death rate for that neoplasm was found to be 4.48 per 1 million for men and 3.14 per 1 million for women. While interpreting the numerical data, such aspects were considered as the problems with histopathological diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma; the long latency period of 30-40 years; and consequently, the possibility that for the male population the results may have been affected by other causes of death owing to its relatively short average lifespan. The volume and types of asbestos used in Poland were also taken into account.