by W.J. Hunter In 1977 a report of a Working Group of experts prepared for the Commission of the European Communities was published entitled 'Public Health Risks of Exposure to Asbestos' (EUR 5653e )1. This report contained several conclusions and recommendations; one of the latter stated that 'a mesothelioma register should be set up in those countries of the EEC where none exist, in accordance with criteria and procedures agreed upon by a panel of pathologists'. Acting upon this recommendation, the Commission established a C.E.C. Mesothelioma Panel, which has as one of its basic objec tives the standardization of the pathological diagnosis of mesotheliomas, by exchange of information between members of National Panels. Since its establishment, several meetings have been held, and much useful information has been exchanged. This work has been underlined by the adoption by the Council of Ministers of a Direc tive on the protection of workers from the risks related to asbestos at 2 work which requires Member States to keep a register of recognized cases of mesothelioma. To assist Member States in the establishment of such registers, the Commission of the European Communities considered it would be useful for an illustrated book on mesotheliomas to be prepared. Three pathologists who are members of the C.E.C. Mesothelioma Panel have undertaken this task and this publication is the result.

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Inhaltsangabe1. Mesothelioma: Definition and Considerations.- 2. The Mesothelium.- I. Embryology.- II. Histology, cytology and ultrastructure.- III. Cellular properties.- IV. Submesothelial tissue.- References.- 3. Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma (of Pleura, Peritoneum and Pericardium).- I. Gross pathology.- (a) Pleura.- (b) Peritoneum.- (c) Pericardium.- (d) Metastases.- (i) Direct.- (ii) Transcoelomic.- (iii) Lymphatic.- (iv) Blood-borne.- (e) Differential diagnosis.- (i) Reactive processes affecting serosal membranes - fibrosis and pleural plaques.- (ii) Malignant tumours other than mesothelioma.- II. Histopathology.- (a) Growth pattern.- (b) Histological features.- (i) Epithelial type.- (ii) Connective tissue type.- (iii) Mixed type.- (iv) Metastases.- (c) Special stains.- (d) Diagnostic histopathological criteria.- (e) Differential diagnosis.- (i) Reactive processes affecting serosal membranes - fibrosis, reactive mesothelial cell proliferation and pleural plaques.- (ii) Malignant tumours other than mesothelioma.- References for Gross Pathology and Histopathology.- III. Cytology of effusions, aspirates and imprints.- References.- IV. Clinical features and natural history.- (a) Symptoms and signs.- (b) Radiological features.- (c) Aetiology.- (i) Relation to fibrous minerals.- (ii) Latent interval.- (iii) Other causes.- (iv) Unknown.- (d) Epidemiology.- (i) Geographical distribution.- (ii) Age and sex distribution.- (iii) Frequency.- (e) Prognosis.- References.- V. Mesothelioma panels.- References.- VI. Theories on the pathogenesis of mesothelioma.- (a) Morphological concept.- (b) Embryological concept.- References.- VII. Diagnostic developments.- (a) Electron microscopy.- References.- (b) Special stains.- References.- (c) Immunopathology.- References.- (d) Morphometry and cytophotometry.- References.- VIII. Illustrations.- (a) Gross pathology.- (b) Histopathology.- (c) Cytology.- IX. Case histories.- Case no. 1. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura - mixed type.- Case no. 2. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum - mixed type.- Case no. 3. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura - connective tissue type.- Case no. 4. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura - epithelial type.- Case no. 5. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium.- Case no. 6. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura - mixed type.- Case no. 7. Asbestosis and carcinoma (+ Mesothelioma ?).- Case no. 8. Cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum.- 4. Other Forms of Mesothelioma.- I. Benign localized mesothelioma of pleura.- II. Benign adenomatoid mesothelioma.- III. Mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis.- IV. Mesothelioma of A-V node.