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Cytological diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma

  • Pleural Diseases and Mesothelioma (G Lee, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of review

Advances in the pathology and genetics of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have impacted upon cytology diagnosis. Cytological diagnosis can, in many cases, negate the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures in patients with epithelioid and mixed-type MPM with implications for patient morbidity and health care expenditure.

Recent findings

The diagnostic accuracy of effusion cytology is enhanced by a standardised approach to sample preparation, allowing optimal microscopy, immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and other molecular analyses. Loss of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) by IHC has emerged as a highly specific marker of mesothelial malignancy. When combined with other ancillary techniques such as FISH for CDKN2a(p16), 100% specificity for malignant mesothelioma can be achieved even in challenging cases, albeit with lower sensitivity.

Summary

Current effusion diagnosis of MPM is highly sensitive and specific. Alterations in BAP1 and CDKN2a(p16) are not only promising as diagnostic tests but may also have prognostic implications.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Joanne Peverall, Department of Diagnostic Genomics, PathWest QEII Medical Centre, for providing the FISH image and Dr Gregory Sterrett and Dr Amanda Segal for reviewing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Siaw Ming Chai.

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Chris van Vliet and Siaw Ming Chai declare no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pleural Diseases and Mesothelioma

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Chai, S.M., Van Vliet, C. Cytological diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Curr Pulmonol Rep 6, 1–8 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-017-0159-y

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