XXXX in Glasgow.

@entity1 @entity662 @entity1143 @entity1353 @entity2615 @entity3620 @entity3 @entity158 @entity1355 @entity456
Thirty-two @entity1 seen in one area between 1974 and 1980 with a diagnosis of @entity3620 are reviewed retrospectively. Asbestos contact, often in the shipyards, was found in 80%. The average age at diagnosis was 64 years and @entity662 or @entity1353 were the most common initial symptoms. Radiology usually confirmed a @entity1143 , but rarely also showed @entity456 or @entity1355 . The most useful diagnostic investigation was pleural biopsy, with a 59% success rate. Post mortem examinations showed widespread infiltration of adjacent tissues in many, with haematogenous @entity3 in 52%. Prognosis was poor, with an average survival of 40 weeks from presentation. No treatment improved life expectancy. Thoracotomy was followed by @entity158 chest wall masses. The incidence of @entity2615 in our area is six times higher than in the rest of Scotland. As the disease has a long latent period between asbestos exposure and appearance, it will be many years before this rate is significantly reduced.
