Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Malignant mesothelioma
- Radiologic Findings
- CT scans demonstrate a heterogeneously enhancing pleural mass in left lower hemithorax. Another small pleural nodules and pleural effusion are also noticed.
PET/CT scan demonstrates hypermetabolic pleural mass and nodules.
- Brief Review
- Mesothelioma is a malignancy with poor prognosis, with an average 5-year survival rate being less than 9%. This type of cancer is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. A long exposure can cause mesothelioma and so can short ones, as each exposure is cumulative. Although the tumor mainly affects older men who in their youth were occupationally exposed to asbestos, malignant mesothelioma can also occur in young adults. A medical history including asbestos exposure was carefully taken.
CT may demonstrate circumferential pleural thickening, pleural effusions, and lung nodules or masses; however, with a history of significant asbestos exposure, a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be suggested. In addition, CT can also be useful in demonstrating invasion of the tumor into the mediastinum, chest wall, diaphragm, and pericardium, which aids in disease staging and treatment planning.
- References
- Zarogoulidis P, Orfanidis M, Constadinidis TC, et al. A 26-year-old male with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Case Report Med. 2011;2011:951732. Epub 2011 Jul 12
Tyszko SM, Marano GD, Tallaksen RJ, et al. Best cases from the AFIP: Malignant mesothelioma. Radiographics. 2007; 27:259-264.
- Keywords
- pleura, malignant tumor,