Diagnostic usefulness and challenges in the diagnosis of mesothelioma by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration
Friday, June 6th, 2008.
Diagnostic Cytopathology. 2008 Jun 4;36(7):503-507. [Epub ahead of print] [Link]
Bakdounes K, Jhala N, Jhala D.
Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare neoplasm. It has been noted in the literature that fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful tool for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. However, the differential diagnosis may require use of a battery of immunohistochemical stains. Clinico-radiologic correlation is also crucial. Real time endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combined with FNA has been shown to be a very sensitive technique to obtain samples from different organ sites, including mediastinal lesions. The use of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of mesothelioma, reinforces the role of a cytopathologist as a cohesive team player along with a radiologist and a clinician during on-site assessment for the proper triage of additional specimens for ancillary studies leading to a better patient management.
Keywords: endoscopic ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, mesothelioma
Glossary
- radiologist
- a doctor who has special training in reading x-rays and other types of diagnostic imaging studies, for example, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.
- neoplasm
- (nee-o-plas-um) an abnormal growth (tumor) that starts from a single altered cell; a neoplasm may be benign or malignant. Cancer is a malignant neoplasm.
- needle aspiration
- a type of needle biopsy. Removal of fluid from a cyst or cells from a tumor. In this procedure, a needle is used to reach the cyst or tumor, and with suction, draw up (aspirate) samples for examination under a microscope. If the needle is thin, the procedure is called a fine needle aspiration or FNA. (See also biopsy.)
- fine needle aspiration
- see needle aspiration.
- 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.
- ultrasound
- an imaging method in which high-frequency sound waves are used to outline a part of the body. The sound wave echoes are picked up and displayed on a television screen. Also called ultrasonography.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
