Malignant Mesothelioma and Pleural Effusions Quiz

A buildup of fluid in the pleural space, the area between the two layers of tissue that surround the lungs.

Fluid accumulation in the pleural space that is not caused by inflammation; caused by hydrostatic pressure, vascular permeability, oncotic pressure, pleural negative pressure, or lymphatic drainage problems.

Fluid in the pleural space that is a watery transudate, typically caused by congestive heart failure, pneumonia, nephrotic syndrome, atelectasis, or lymphatic drainage blockage.

Blood in the pleural space, often caused by trauma, rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm, or other injuries.

Lymphatic fluid in the pleural space, often caused by obstruction of lymphatic vessels, typically by tumors.

Air in the pleural space, often caused by trauma, lung disease, or ruptured blebs.

Inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the lungs, often caused by infection (such as pneumonia or tuberculosis), malignancy, or autoimmune diseases.

A condition where air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse partially or completely.

A milky-white fluid buildup in the chest cavity, usually caused by a leak in the thoracic duct or major lymphatic vessels.

Inflammation of the pleura, the thin lining surrounding the lungs, often caused by infection, injury, or tumors.

Fluid buildup in the pleural space, often due to inflammation or other underlying conditions.

A thick, milky-white fluid in the chest cavity, with a high triglyceride content, commonly caused by leakage from the lymphatic system.

A type of pleural effusion where the fluid is thick and contains many inflammatory cells, suggesting an infection.

A type of pleural effusion where the fluid is thin and watery, indicating a less serious condition.

A type of pleural effusion with a significant amount of blood in the fluid, often due to injury or other severe conditions.

A type of pleuritis where the inflammation causes a thick, fibrous layer on the pleura, potentially leading to lung collapse.

A highly aggressive cancer originating from the mesothelial cells that line the serous surfaces, most commonly the pleura (90%). Other sites include the peritoneum, pericardium, and rarely the tunica vaginalis of the testis. Exposure to asbestos and erionite fibers plays a crucial role. The time lag between asbestos exposure and tumor development is 25-45 years.

The most common type of malignant mesothelioma, characterized by a growth pattern resembling epithelial cells.

A type of malignant mesothelioma with a growth pattern resembling connective tissue cells.

A mixed type of malignant mesothelioma exhibiting both epithelial and mesenchymal cell characteristics.

Malignant mesothelial cells found in the effusion often exhibit an epithelioid morphology, forming clusters, cell balls, or papillae. These cells may contain psammoma bodies.

A rare type of tumor that can occur in various locations, characterized by a haphazard arrangement of spindle-shaped to ovoid cells around branching vasculature within a collagenous stroma.

A subtype of SFT with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis.

A group of cells that line the inner surface of body cavities, including the chest (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), and heart (pericardium).

A protein that acts as a tumor suppressor, helping to regulate cell growth and prevent cancer development.

A gene that can be mutated, potentially contributing to cancer development.

A method used to assess the likelihood of a tumor spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis).

Factors that increase the risk of a tumor recurring or spreading (metastasis).

A type of imaging test that uses X-rays and contrast dye to create detailed images of internal organs and tissues.

A general term referring to tumors that are characterized by cells with atypical features and an increased growth rate.

A large collection of pus in the pleural space.

Inflammation of the pleura caused by bacteria or fungi. Can be primary or secondary to other infections. May spread to surrounding areas like the liver or peritoneum.

A benign tumor of the mesothelium, often mistaken for mesothelioma. More common in the peritoneum than the pleura.

Benign pleural tumors are often asymptomatic, but can cause symptoms due to their location. Solitary Fibrous Tumor is known to produce IGF2, which can be found in the blood, indicating the presence of the tumor.

A rare paraneoplastic syndrome associated with Solitary Fibrous Tumor where IGF2 production by the tumor causes symptoms such as hypoglycemia, and hypophosphatemia.

CT scans of SFT typically show a well-defined, often lobulated mass that appears similar in density to muscle tissue with varying degrees of contrast enhancement. MRI shows intermediate signal intensity on T1 and low signal intensity on T2 images.

Grossly, Solitary Fibrous Tumors in deep tissues present as large, well-defined, usually unencapsulated tumors. When arising from serosal surfaces such as pleura, they may grow as an exophytic mass.

A chronic inflammation of the pleura with pus accumulation, often a sequela of tuberculosis. Thickened pleura and calcifications are common.