INTRODUCTION: @entity3620 is a rare @entity3675 in Singapore. There have been few reports of this condition in Singapore. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes in a case series of 16 @entity1 diagnosed in a teaching hospital in Singapore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chart review of all cases of @entity3620 diagnosed in our institution during the period 1996 to 2001 was conducted, with particular attention to the occupational history. RESULTS: There were 16 @entity1 (15 male @entity1 ) with a median age of 61.5 (range, 46 to 78) years. Thirteen @entity1 had @entity3620 ( @entity3620 ) and 3 @entity1 had @entity2615 of the periotoneum. Eleven of the @entity1 with @entity3620 (84.6%) presented with a @entity1143 and only 2 @entity1 (15.4%) had @entity662 . Initial pleural fluid cytology and closed pleural biopsies were negative in all @entity1 who presented with a @entity1143 . Thoracoscopy confirmed the histologic diagnosis and allowed simultaneous talc pleurodesis in 9 @entity1 . All @entity1 had documented @entity1355 exposure, of which 14 (87.5%) were confirmed to be occupationally related. The median time from first exposure to symptoms was 33.5 (range, 16 to 53) years. The median survival was 6 months. Most of the @entity1 (75%) received best supportive care alone. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, @entity3620 is an @entity146 with a poor prognosis. It is strongly associated with @entity1355 exposure. Thoracoscopy is an invaluable diagnostic modality in the evaluation of a @entity1 with occupational @entity1355 exposure and an undiagnosed @entity1143 .

XXXX : experience at the Singapore General Hospital.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity1143 :: ('MESH:D010996', 'Disease') :: ['pleural effusion'] @entity662 :: ('MESH:D002637', 'Disease') :: ['chest pain'] @entity3675 :: ('MESH:D009784', 'Disease') :: ['occupational disease'] @entity146 :: ('MESH:D001523', 'Disease') :: ['aggressive disease'] @entity2615 :: ('MESH:D008654', 'Disease') :: ['mesothelioma'] @entity3620 :: ('MESH:C562839', 'Disease') :: ['MPM', 'Malignant mesothelioma', 'malignant mesothelioma', 'malignant pleural mesothelioma'] @entity1355 :: ('MESH:D001195', 'Disease') :: ['asbestos']
@entity3620 :: (MESH:C562839,Disease) :: ['Malignant mesothelioma']
