Malignant mesothelioma in the State of Qatar: A clinico-epidemiological study

Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a potentially fatal cancer that originates from the mesothelial surfaces, predominantly the pleura. Asbestos is the principal risk factor with a long latency period between exposure and disease development. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of MM in the State of Qatar.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study of all MM cases diagnosed in the State of Qatar during the period from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023. MM cases were identified from the Qatari National Cancer Registry Database and the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Histopathology Database. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and survival data were collected from these two databases.

Results: Among the total 22 MM cases diagnosed during the study period, migrant Egyptians constituted 15/22 (68.2%). The mean age for the study population was 57.9 ± 9.2 years with an age-standardized incidence rate of 24.1 cases per 1,000,000 individuals per year. The epithelioid histologic type was the predominant type (16/19; 84.2%), and most patients (13/14; 92.9%) were diagnosed at an advanced disease stage. The median overall survival (OS) was 16 months. The 1-year OS rate was 60.67%, dropping to 20.22% over 3 years. Though the differences were not statistically significant, patients with epithelioid histology and those with left-sided tumors experienced better OS outcomes.

Conclusion: MM is predominantly a cancer of Egyptian migrants in the State of Qatar, with a comparable incidence to the international rates. Epithelioid histologic type is the most common type in the State of Qatar, and the majority of patients are diagnosed at an advanced disease stage. Despite a better OS rate compared to other countries, the prognosis of MM remains grave.