Benign mesothelial proliferation with effusion. Clinicopathologic entity that may mimic malignancy

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Oncology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Benign mesothelial proliferation with effusion is a poorly defined syndrome.
• Distinguishing this benign condition from malignant neoplasms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

• Five cases of benign mesothelial proliferation with effusion were analyzed.
• Patients presented with varying clinical and pathological features.
• Multicavity involvement occurred asynchronously over several years in three cases.

Findings:

• Gross and microscopic findings can closely resemble metastatic papillary adenocarcinoma.
• The clinical course is unpredictable, though generally favorable.
• Two of three patients with pericardial involvement necessitated pericardectomy due to tamponade.

Implications:

• Accurate differentiation between benign mesothelial proliferation and malignancy is essential.
• Understanding the variable clinical course aids in patient management.
• This study highlights the importance of recognizing benign mesothelial proliferation to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.