Mesothelioma - Update on Diagnostic Strategies

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) can be a challenging diagnosis for clinicians to make as it is often difficult to distinguish from benign asbestos pleural effusions and metastatic carcinomas. In this review, we present a case of MPM and discuss clinical manifestations, traditional diagnostic techniques, and the role of cytopathologic immunostains and serum biomarkers in the diagnosis of MPM.

Figure 1

Chest radiograph demonstrating large right pleural effusion and calcified pleural plaques involving the left hemithorax.

Figure 2

Cytology of pleural fluid (amplification, 600x). Cytospinned slide was stained with Papanicolaou stain (A). Section of cellblock was stained with H & E stain (B). Sections of cellblock were stained with antibody against WT-1 (C) and cytokeratin 5/6 (D).

Figure 3

Histology of pleural biopsy. Section of paraffin-embedded pleural biopsy tissue was stained with H & E stain (A: 200x, and B: 600x).