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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines
Published on: April 21, 2022
Amelanotic Malignant Melanoma with Dense Pleural Thickening Mimicking Malignant Mesothelioma
Takeshi Saraya1, Masachika Fujiwara2, Kikuko Morita1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
A 51-year-old man was diagnosed with stage IIC nodular malignant melanoma (T4bN0M0) of the right upper arm. The tumor was treatment-refractory, and left-sided pleural effusion emerged 1.5 years later. Aspiration of pleural fluid revealed abundant amelanotic, atypical cells that resembled epithelial malignant mesothelioma or lung adenocarcinoma cells; these cells were positive for melanoma-associated antigen recognized by T cells (MART-1)/Melan-A, HMB-45, and S-100 on immunocytochemistry. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed marked diffuse pleural thickening in the left hemithorax that mimicked malignant mesothelioma; thus, the present report describes the unique cytological and radiological findings of this case.
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