Case 6: Mesothelioma or Adenocarcinoma?

A 60-year old man was admitted to the hospital because of pain in the right thorax with dyspnea. Anamnestically no asbest contact was known. X-ray examination revealed only pleural effusion, no further characteristics. Cytological examination of the pleural effusion showed malignant cell groups on which a distinction between adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma was not possible. Thoracoscopy revealed a thickened parietal pleural wall. Biopsies showed only chronic inflammation with fibrosis. Surgical biopsies were taken to achieve a histological diagnosis.