Cytology of benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma in peritoneal washings
Thursday, May 15th, 2008.
Cytopathology. 2008 May 9. [Epub ahead of print] [Link]
Assaly M, Bongiovanni M, Kumar N, Egger JF, Pelte MF, Genevay M, Finci V, Tschanz E, Pache JC.
Department of Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract
Objective: To describe the cytological aspect of peritoneal washings in benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM).
Methods: Three peritoneal washing specimens stained by standard cytological and histological procedures and analysed by light microscopy.
Results: The specimens showed an abundance of monomorphous mesothelial cells devoid of atypia or mitoses. The mesothelial cells were calretinin positive. They also showed numerous squamous metaplastic cells arranged in flat sheets or isolated cells. The background contained some inflammatory cells.
Conclusion: The combination of cytology of the peritoneal washing, histology (cell block and surgical specimen) and clinical history allow differentiation of BMPM from other cystic lesions (cystic lymphangioma and malignant mesothelioma).
Glossary
- differentiation
- (dif-er-en-she-A-shun) the normal process through which cells mature so they can carry out the jobs they were meant to do. Cancer cells are poorly differentiated.
- cytology
- (cy-tahl-uh-gee) the branch of science that deals with the structure and function of cells.
- cell
- the basic unit of which all living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.
- benign
- (be-nine) not cancer; not malignant.
- 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.)
