[Exposure to asbestos in patients with malignant mesothelioma in Iran]

ABSTRACT

Background: Cancer is the third cause of death in Iran. Approximately 5-10% of all human cancers are thought to be caused by occupational exposure to carcinogens. Diffuse mesotheliomas of the peritoneum and pleura are considered [signal tumors,] or pa-thognomonic of exposure to asbestos. There is also evidence that nonasbestos agents can induce malignant mesotheliomas