Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare malignant lung tumor with a very poor prognosis. A malignant effusion is frequently the first clinical symptom of the disease, and a definitive diagnosis can spare the patient further diagnostic procedures with the risk of spreading along the biopsy site. A large percentage of these effusions are highly cellular, particularly those with the epithelioid variant. Recently, the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) acknowledged cytology as an acceptable diagnostic method, and supplemental guidelines for the diagnosis of mesothelioma by cytology were published. This chapter reviewed the epidemiology, the clinical presentation, and the morphologic features diagnostic of mesothelioma with its various patterns. The differential diagnoses and diagnostic pitfalls, particularly reactive mesothelial proliferations, are discussed in detail, along with the role of up-to-date immunohistochemistry in establishing a definitive diagnosis.
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Michael, C.W. (2018). Malignant Mesothelioma. In: Davidson, B., Firat, P., Michael, C. (eds) Serous Effusions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76478-8_5
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