[5 new cases of solitary fibrous mesothelioma of the visceral pleura].

Abstract

Five new cases of solitary fibrous mesothelioma of the visceral pleura support this review of the literature. Well encapsulated, mostly pedunculated, the implantation on the visceral pleura remains asymptomatic for a very long time and is more likely to be an incidental finding on a chest radiograph. Two extrathoracic signs are associated with certain huge tumors : hypoglycemia and osteoarthropathy. Histologic examination discloses whorls of collagen with scattered spindle-shaped cells. Electron microscope reveals characteristic features of both fibroblasts and mesothelial cells. Complete surgical removal is the best treatment for localized fibrous mesotheliomas of the visceral pleura. Recurrences after resection are rare and late recurrence, as long as 16 years after initial excision, usually behaves in a benign fashion.