title: Effusion cytology in the diagnosis of malignant epithelioid and biphasic pleural mesothelioma.
abstract: We reviewed the cytologic findings in pleural effusions of 36 patients in whom a diffuse epithelioid or biphasic malignant mesothelioma of the pleura developed between 1978 and 1988. Malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in 26 (72%) of the 36 patients. A specific diagnosis of a mesothelioma was rendered or suspected in 64% (23/36 patients). Mesothelioma was favored over adenocarcinoma in 81% (29/36) of patients with positive fluid cytologic findings. The contribution of effusion cytology to the final diagnosis and patient treatment was assessed. These data suggested that a cytologic diagnosis contributed useful information in most patients with malignant epithelioid and biphasic pleural mesotheliomas.
authors.affiliation: James Homer Wright Pathology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*