Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in a Patient with History of Environmental Exposure to Asbestos: A Case Report in Thailand

Authors

  • Pitchayaporn Poonnak Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital
  • Supakorn Chansaengpetch Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Narongpon Dumavibhat Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Preedewat Premboonchuen Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Piboon Issaraphan Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health
  • Wichai Tipayadarapanich Department of Pathology, Lampang Hospital
  • Yupa Juangpolngam Department of Occupational Health, Lampang Hospital
  • Arunee Pholngam Department of Occupational Health, Lampang Hospital

Keywords:

mesothelioma, asbestos, environmental exposure, construction materials

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but fatal cancer associated with past asbestos exposure. Well-known asbestos-containing materials include roof and ceiling tiles. Alarmingly, asbestos continues to be imported and used in Thailand. The following case pinpoints the potential relevance between environmental asbestos exposure and MPM in a 66-year-old Thai male. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology presenting sarcomatoid MPM. After a thorough investigation, no occupational exposure to asbestos was identified. However, approximately twenty years ago, he had a history of closely supervising the construction of his own house including ceiling tile cutting without personal protective equipment use. He subsequently died of this incurable disease within a year after diagnosis. Herein, this case report emphasizes the importance of environmental asbestos exposure as a cause of MPM and the urgent need to eliminate asbestos use. 

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Published

2022-09-13 — Updated on 2022-09-15

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How to Cite

1.
Poonnak P, Chansaengpetch S, Dumavibhat N, Premboonchuen P, Issaraphan P, Tipayadarapanich W, Juangpolngam Y, Pholngam A. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in a Patient with History of Environmental Exposure to Asbestos: A Case Report in Thailand . JPMAT [Internet]. 2022 Sep. 15 [cited 2024 Nov. 23];12(2):445-53. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JPMAT/article/view/256277