Early cytological diagnosis of diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum: a case report.
Mesotheliomas are the most frequent primary malignant tumors of serosal cavities with a poor prognosis. A definitive and early diagnosis on effusion samples is important, because recent advances in therapy for patients with mesothelioma may result in an improved outcome if they are applied to stage I disease. We report a case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosed repeatedly by cytology in ascites fluids 1.5 yr before the diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy histology. The cytological diagnoses were supported by immunocytochemistry, DNA-cytometry, and AgNOR-analysis. Routine cytology supported by three adjuvant methods enabled us to correctly establish the diagnosis. Our case suggests that a cytological diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma supported by adjuvant methods should not be rejected even if based on negative histological results.
Pomjanski
Natalia
N
Institute of Cytopathology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, Düsseldorf, Germany. natalia.pomjanski@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Grote
Hans Juergen
HJ
Sander
Oliver
O
Heikaus
Sebastian
S
Müller
Klaus-Michael
KM
Böcking
Alfred
A
D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology