[Problematic cases of mesothelioma reported to the Dutch Institute for Asbestos Victims: evaluation by the Mesothelioma Working Group of the Netherlands Association of Pulmonologists and Specialists in Tuberculosis]. / Problematische mesothelioomcasussen aangemeld bij het Instituut Asbestslachtoffers: beoordeling door de werkgroep Mesotheliomen van de Nederlandse Vereniging van Artsen voor Longziekten en Tuberculose.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the assessments of problematic cases reported to the Dutch Institute for Asbestos Victims (IAS) by the Mesothelioma Working Party of the Netherlands Association of Pulmonologists and Specialists in Tuberculosis (NVALT). DESIGN: Descriptive. METHOD: The pathological confirmation of a malignant pleural mesothelioma of occupational origin is difficult in about 10% of the cases. The IAS has requested the Mesothelioma Working Party of the NVALT to review these cases. When no definitive diagnosis can be made on histological or cytological grounds, three pulmonologists reach a conclusion on the basis of correspondence, X-ray examination and other information. RESULTS: In the period January 2000--March 2004 the Working Party evaluated 132 cases, two-thirds of whom (n = 89) were assessed to be compatible with 'malignant pleural mesothelioma' and one-third of whom (n = 43) were felt to be non-compatible. In 69% of the cases (91/132) the conclusions of the three independent specialists were unanimous. The median time from request to report was 25 days (range: 1-185). CONCLUSION: This approach was effective and rapid.