Recognition of Histopathologic Patterns of Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma in Differential Diagnosis of Pleural Biopsies

Abstract

AbstractContext.—Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is generally divided into 3 basic histologic types—epithelial, biphasic, or sarcomatous. However, a great diversity of histologic patterns exists within these 3 basic histologic types.Design.—The diverse histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma are briefly described, including infrequently encountered patterns.Results. The histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma provide a wide variation of features for the pathologist to consider in the differential diagnosis of a pleural biopsy.Conclusion.—Pathologists should be aware of the varied histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma when evaluating pleural biopsies.