[Chronic pneumonia caused by paraffin oil and pleural modifications: mesothelial hyperplasia and mesothelioma].

A 82 years old woman with no past history of cardiac or pulmonary disease or asbestos exposure, but with chronic administration of paraffin oil as laxative, had lipid pneumonia and a primary neoplasic pleural effusion. From the reported case, the authors discuss the possible part of mineral oil as pleural carcinogenic factor (mesothelioma).