title: Deciduoid mesothelioma of the thorax: A comprehensive review of the scientific literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deciduoid mesothelioma is a rare variant of malignant epithelioid mesothelioma. It often involves the peritoneum, but also thoracic cases have been reported. The aim of the present review is to describe the demographic, clinical, radiological, and pathological features of such a rare variant of thoracic mesothelioma, and the state of the art regarding the therapeutic approaches currently available.
  
  
  METHODS
  English-language articles published from 1985 to June 2016, and related to thoracic deciduoid mesothelioma cases were retrieved using the Pubmed database.
  
  
  METHODS
  The search terms were "mesothelioma," "thoracic mesothelioma," "epithelial mesothelioma," "pleural mesothelioma," and "deciduoid mesothelioma."
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four cases included in 16 articles, published in the period under investigation, were analyzed in detail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mean age of the patients was 63 years, and the male to female ratio 1.7:1. Approximately 58% had exposure to asbestos, and 73% had a smoking history; familiarity was rarely reported. The most common anatomical site of origin was the right pleura, and the most frequent clinical manifestations were chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and weight loss. Thoracic X-ray and computed tomography were the imaging techniques most employed for diagnosis and surgical planning. The pathological diagnosis was obtained by examination of surgical or biopsy specimens in most cases. The best treatment strategy of deciduoid mesothelioma is a matter of debate; nevertheless a multidisciplinary approach is currently the best option for the choice of the adequate therapeutic scheme.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paliogiannis
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Putzu
authors.affiliation: Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ginesu
authors.affiliation: Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio Francesco
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Feo
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Attene
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scognamillo
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nonnis
authors.affiliation: Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Cancer Genetics Unit, C.N.R, Traversa La Crucca 3, Sassari, 07040, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Vle V.le San Pietro 43, Sassari 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pirina
authors.affiliation: Pulmonology Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Vle V.le San Pietro 43, Sassari 07100, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fois
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D033301:Deciduoma / Q000473:pathology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos
keywords: cancer; deciduoid; mesothelioma; pleura; thorax