Mesothelioma after lung transplantation
Saturday, September 30th, 2006.
Thorax. 2006 Oct;61(10):916-7. [Link]
P N Chhajed1, L Bubendorf1, H Hirsch1, A Boehler2, W Weder2 and M Tamm1
1 Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
2 Lung Transplant Program, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract
The case history is presented of a lung transplant recipient who developed malignant mesothelioma. This is thought to be the first such report. Mesothelioma should be suspected in lung transplant recipients with a haemorrhagic pleural effusion in the native lung when there is no convincing evidence for bronchogenic carcinoma or post transplant lymphoproliferative disease, even in the absence of exposure to asbestos.
Glossary
- carcinoma
- (car-sin-o-ma) a malignant tumor that begins in the lining layer (epithelial cells) of organs. At least 80% of all cancers are carcinomas.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
- pleural effusion
- an abnormal accumulation of fluid, usually caused by trauma or disease, in the pleural space.
