title: Mesothelioma as a risk indicator of asbestos exposure: the role of the pathologist.
abstract: Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon tumour, which has become an important epidemiological marker for exposure to asbestos. This tumour is characterised by a wide range of microscopic features which may be classified in three histologic patterns: epithelial, mesenchimal and mixed or biphasic. Histochemical staining is often necessary to distinguish mesothelioma from carcinoma. As regards immunohistochemistry, only the use of a combination of antibodies significantly decreases the risk of false-negative results. Analytic electron microscopy techniques may also be useful, permitting the evaluation of the cumulative fiber burden in the target organ.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zampi
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Comin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dini
mesh_terms: D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers