Mesothelioma: a rare cancer in the Valencian Region’s Cancer Registry (Spain)

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 29; no. Supplement_4
• Main Authors: Cavero Carbonell, C, Miguel Marco, N, Sabater Gregori, X, Esplugues Cebrián, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-11-2019; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Autopsy; Cancer; Computed tomography; Cross-sectional studies; Cytology; Diagnosis; Documentation; Experts; Histology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Malignancy; Mesothelioma; Metastases; Morphology; Mortality; Public health; Tumors; Validity; Spain
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.614

Abstract
Background
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. The estimated incidence in Spain is 535 cases per year, being more frequent in men and reaching the highest rate of incidence between the ages of 60-70. Objective: to determine the characteristics of those affected by the mesothelioma in the Valencian Region during the period 2005-2016 and identify the temporary evolution.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed. Cases were identified through the Valencian Region’s Cancer Registry (VCR), those registered between 2005-2015 were identified by the ICD9-CM (code 163*) and 2016’s by the ICD10 (code C45). Cases were validated through the review of clinical documentation. The incidence and mortality were calculated and a descriptive analysis was developed including clinical, demographic and social characteristics.
Results
379 cases were identified and confirmed. 58.4% of the cases were men and the average age of diagnosis was 67 years. 85.1% were Spanish. 87.3% of cases had died and the average age of death was 70 years. An increasing incidence has been observed, being 11.4/1000000 inhabitants (CI95%:8.4-14.3) in 2016. The malignant mesothelioma morphology distribution was: 45.1% epithelial, 43.8% non-specified, 6.6% fibrous and 4.5% in two-phase. In 90.8% of the cases the assessment used to confirm the diagnosis was the primary tumour’s histology, in 3.7% was a cytology or hematologic analysis, in 2.6% was metastatic tissue histology, in 1.3% were clinical signs, in 0.5% was other clinical test like MRI/CT scan, in 0.3% was a postmortem histology and in 0.8% assessment was unknown.
Conclusions
The data about mesothelioma included in the VCR could be considered solid due to the results obtained through the validation. The mesothelioma’s malignancy it is evident, despite its low incidence, its mortality rate is high. The increasing trend observed is in agreement with those experts who estimate that the highest rate of incidence will be between the years 2020-2040.
Key messages
The data about mesothelioma recorded in the Valencian Region’s Cancer Registry could be considered solid due to the results obtained through the validation of information procedure.
The increasing trend of malignant mesothelioma observed is in agreement with those experts who estimate that the highest rate of incidence will be between the years 2020-2040.