Malignant mesothelioma presenting as a gradually enlarging pneumothorax
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Ashish Prasad1, Diana Olsen, P S Sriram
1Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0225, USA.
Abstract:
Malignant mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive tumor arising from the pleura with median survival of approximately 9-12 months. It can rarely present as a spontaneous pneumothorax. Less than 35 cases of malignant mesothelioma presenting as spontaneous pneumothorax have been reported in the literature. Pathology may show florid mesothelial hyperplasia. We herein report a case of mesothelioma presenting as a pneumothorax that gradually enlarged over a one-year period and also review the relevant literature.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description
Pleura of the Lungs
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:

