Recognition of histopathologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma in differential diagnosis of pleural biopsies
Tuesday, November 1st, 2005.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 2005 Nov;129(11):1415-20. [Link]
Allen TC.
Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Center, Tyler, TX 75708, USA. timothy.allen@uthct.edu
Abstract
Context: Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is generally divided into 3 basic histologic types–epithelial, biphasic, or sarcomatous. However, a great diversity of histologic patterns exists within these 3 basic histologic types.
Design: The diverse histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma are briefly described, including infrequently encountered patterns.
Results: The histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma provide a wide variation of features for the pathologist to consider in the differential diagnosis of a pleural biopsy.
Conclusion: Pathologists should be aware of the varied histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma when evaluating pleural biopsies.
Glossary
- pathologist
- (path-all-eh-jist) a doctor who specializes in diagnosis and classification of diseases by laboratory tests (such as examination of tissue and cells under a microscope). The pathologist determines whether a lump is benign or cancerous.
- 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.
- biopsy
- (buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
