Introduction We wished to highlight demographics and evaluate prognostic factors and outcomes in all patients regionally with confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Methods Data relating to all consecutive patients between 2002 and 2012 (inclusive) with biopsy proven MPM were identified from a local pathology database. Demographics, diagnostic method, histological sub-type, survival and laboratory parameters at diagnosis were extracted from computer archives. Comparisons were made between patients surviving greater than 1 year and less than one year.

Results 138 patients had confirmed MPM between 2002 and 2012 (118 (86%) male, 57% right sided, and median age 70 years (range 48 88)). Of these, 55% were classed as epithelioid, 16% biphasic, 16% sarcomatoid and 13% had no definitive typing. Overall median survival from diagnosis was 292 days (IQR 72, 497); 406, 297, 61 and 314 days for epithelioid, biphasic, sarcomatoid and “not defined” respectively. Factors associated with a higher risk of dying in less than one year after diagnosis were advanced age (median 73 vs 66 years, p = 0.0002), low haemoglobin (12.8 vs 14.0 g/L, p = 0.001), high platelets (366 vs 317 x10^⁹/L, p = 0.0269), low sodium (138 vs 139 mmol/L, p = 0.02), low albumin (38 vs 41 g/L, p = 0.0003), high alkaline phosphatase (101 vs 85 U/L, p = 0.013) and high C reactive protein (64 vs 26 mg/L, p = 0.0051). Between 2006 2012, 37 of 76 patients received chemotherapy; those who did had a greater median survival (median survival 423 days (IQR 326 624) vs 95 days (IQR 60 321), p = < 0.0001).

Conclusion Overall median survival in consecutive patients with MPM was 292 days, with adverse prognostic factors being low haemoglobin, sodium and albumin, high platelets, alkaline phosphatase and CRP and advanced age. Patients receiving chemotherapy had a better prognosis overall.