[Metastasis revealing malignant peritoneum mesothelioma: About the difficulty to identify the primary tumors]

Ann Pathol. 2016 Apr;36(2):105-10. doi: 10.1016/j.annpat.2015.12.001. Epub 2016 Mar 16.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is a rare and extremely aggressive tumor that is sometimes difficult to diagnose. We report two cases of metastatic malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. In one case, malignant metastatic cells were identified in cervical lymph nodes while in the other case, the cells were found in the liver. In both cases, metastases were identified before discovering the primary tumor. This led to the misdiagnosis of carcinoma of unknown origin. Nevertheless, the histological and immuno-histochemical patterns were typical of malignant mesothelioma. Regarding metastasis of unknown origin, a differentiation of epithelioid peritoneal malignant mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma proved to be difficult. Therefore, we discuss the diagnostic usefulness of immuno-histochemical mesothelioma markers.

Keywords: Epithelioid mesothelioma; Expert network; Malignant peritonel mesothelioma; Metastasis; Mésothéliome malin péritonéal; Mésothéliome épithélioïde; Métastases; RENA-PATH; Réseau d’expert.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Calbindin 2 / analysis
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis*
  • Mesothelioma / chemistry
  • Mesothelioma / diagnosis
  • Mesothelioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Mesothelioma / secondary*
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant
  • Military Personnel
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / diagnosis
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Omentum / pathology
  • Peritoneal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CALB2 protein, human
  • Calbindin 2