Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract Introduction Etiology and Epidemiology of MPM Clinical Features Microscopic Features Characterization of MPM with Histochemistry, Immunochemistry, and Electron Microscopy

Gross Pathologic Characteristics Radiographic Features CT Features MR Imaging Findings Differential Diagnosis

Diagnostic Methods Staging and Resectability Treatment Prognosis Source Information References

Prognosis

MPM is almost uniformly fatal. The patient's age, stage of disease, and histologic subtype of tumor all have prognostic significance (72). In a study of 167 patients, the median survival rates of patients aged less than 65 years, between 65 and 74 years, and 75 years or more were approximately 11 months, 8 months, and 4.5 months, respectively (72). In another series, patients with stage I, II, and III disease had median survival times of 16, 9, and 5 months, respectively (32). Patients with epithelioid tumors had a median survival time of 8.5 months, those with sarcomatous tumors had 7 months, and those with mixed histologic subtypes had 6 months (72). Other variables that have been associated with better survival are normal platelet count and lack of chest pain (33). Sadly, the results of treatment remain dismal, and the results of further randomized, controlled trials of multimodality treatments are awaited. Multimodality treatment regimens will almost certainly play an important part in the future, with contributions from surgery, immunotherapy, and gene therapy.

Abstract Introduction Etiology and Epidemiology of MPM Clinical Features Microscopic Features Characterization of MPM with Histochemistry, Immunochemistry, and Electron Microscopy

Gross Pathologic Characteristics Radiographic Features CT Features MR Imaging Findings Differential Diagnosis

Diagnostic Methods Staging and Resectability Treatment Prognosis Source Information References