Localised pleural malignant mesothelioma. Report of two cases simulating pulmonary carcinoma and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To describe two cases of localised malignant mesothelioma with a predominantly intrapulmonary growth which led to a pre-operative diagnosis of pulmonary carcinoma.


METHODS
Both cases presented as intrapulmonary masses, while at computed tomography scan the pleura appeared not significantly thickened. In one patient, the main bronchus was diffusely infiltrated by the tumour. In both cases, a preoperative biopsy showed a proliferation of large cells leading to a diagnosis of non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Histological examination of the surgical specimens revealed features consistent with epithelioid mesothelioma with deciduoid features in one case and with biphasic mesothelioma in the other. Both cases were diffusely positive with anti-calretinin antibody, while anti-TTF1, anti-surfactant and anti-CEA antisera were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Localised malignant mesotheliomas are unusual and predominantly intrapulmonary growth is rare. Pathologists should be aware of this possibility to avoid misdiagnosis, particularly in small biopsies.
Asioli
Sofia
S
Section of Anatomic Pathology M. Malpighi Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy.
Dal Piaz
Giulia
G
Damiani
Stefania
S
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed