title: Malignant pleural mesothelioma in a child with ataxia-telangiectasia.
abstract: Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a hereditary disorder characterized by progressive neurological dysfunction, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, cancer susceptibility, and radiation sensitivity. Pleural neoplasms are extremely rare in the pediatric population, even in patients with AT. We describe the case of a 16-year-old male with AT who developed a malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Benign or infectious lung and pleural diseases are common in those with AT. Hence, delayed diagnosis of respiratory neoplasms can occur in these patients. This report highlights the need of heightened vigilance in patients with AT with recurrent or persistent pleuropulmonary disease. To our knowledge, no other cases of MPM in children with AT have been reported.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224, USA. christian.rosassalazar@chp.edu
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosas-Salazar
authors.forename: Sriya W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Gunawardena
authors.forename: Jonathan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Spahr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001260:Ataxia Telangiectasia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000150:complications*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*