Table 1 Demographic data, asbestos exposure of patients and diagnostic methods in recruited patients
|  | METS (n = 38) | BPLAE (n = 30) | MPM (n = 79) |
|---|---|---|---|
Age years (mean ± SD) | 65.8 ± 11.6 | 61.9 ± 11.3 | 64.3 ± 9.5 |
Male gender n (%) | 21 (55.3%) | 29 (96.7%) | 64 (81%) |
Mesothelioma subtype n (%) | |||
  Epithelioid | - | - | 60 (76%) |
  Mixed (biphasic) type | 10 (12.6%) | ||
  Sarcomatoid | 9 (11.4%) | ||
Primary tumor | |||
  Lung | 14 (36.8%) | - | - |
  Breast | 10 (26.3%) | ||
  Digestive tract | 3 (7.9%) | ||
  Ovarian | 2 (5.3%) | ||
  Unknown | 6 (15.8%) | ||
  Other | 3 (7.9%) | ||
Diagnosed by: | |||
  Blind Pleural Biopsy | - | - | 1 (1.3%) |
  Thoracoscopy | 27 (71.1%) | 21 (70%) | 48 (60.8%) |
  Surgery | 6 (15.8%) | 9 (30%) | 28 (35.4%) |
  Guided biopsy | 5 (13.1%) | - | 2 (2.5%) |
Asbestos exposure n (%) | |||
  Yes | 11 (29%) | 24 (80%) | 61 (77.2%) |
  No | 27 (71%) | 5 (16.7%) | 13 (16.5%) |
  Likely (but not confirmed) | - | 1 (3.3%) | 5 (6.3%) |