Parasternal lymph node metastasis of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: report of a case
Thursday, September 1st, 2005.
Surgery Today. 2005;35(9):782-4. [Link]
Shinya Ito1, Noritaka Isowa2, Mio Li1, Seiki Hasegawa1 and Hiromi Wada1
(1) Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan (2) Department of Thoracic Surgery, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Shimane, Japan
Abstract
We report a case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with parasternal lymph node metastasis. The patient was a 34-year-old man who presented with a history of several years of abdominal pain and ascites of unknown origin. Exploratory laparoscopic biopsies yielded histological findings of malignancy, but a final diagnosis was not able to be made. A chest computed tomographic scan done the following year showed a parasternal nodule, and thoracoscopically obtained biopsied material was positive for calretinin. These findings led to a pathological diagnosis of metastasis to the parasternal lymph node from peritoneal mesothelioma.
Glossary
- scan
- a study using either x-rays or radioactive isotopes to produce images of internal body organs.
- metastasis
- (meh-tas-teh-sis) the spread of cancer cells to distant areas of the body by way of the lymph system or bloodstream.
- lymph
- (limf) clear fluid that flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains cells known as lymphocytes. These cells are important in fighting infections and may also have a role in fighting cancer.
- diagnosis
- identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
- peritoneal
- (pair-uh-tuh-nee-al) the serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen. (More on Peritoneal Mesothelioma.)
- ascites
- (uh-sigh-tees) excess fluid accumulation in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.
