Clinical Findings in Pleural Mesothelioma

Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma are typically adults older than 50 years of age,^3–6 but there have also been several well- documented examples of this tumor in children.^7–9 Very rarely, familial clustering of MM has been reported, with parent-child or sibling-sibling combinations being represented.^10–13 To date, there have been no reports of spouse-spouse concurrences.

The most common presentation of MM is with progressive shortness of breath.^4,5,14,15 Unilateral chest pain is also relatively frequent, and this may or may not have pleuritic characteristics. Another rarer manifestation is that of flulike illness, with malaise, anorexia, low-grade fever, myalgias, and weight loss.^16–19 Distant metastasis of MM to extrathoracic lymph nodes or other anatomic sites at presentation is extraordinarily uncommon^20,21 but can represent a diagnostic challenge for pathologists.

Plain film chest radiographs typically show a unilateral pleural effusion, which may be massive in volume despite relatively minor symptoms (Fig. 20-1). Reimaging after thoracentesis often reveals diffuse pleural thickening; more rarely, a single discrete pleural mass may be observed.^22–25 Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thorax are more sensitive than plain films for demonstrating tumor volume and invasion of contiguous anatomic structures^25–27 (Fig. 20-2). They are also superior for showing the presence of pleural plaques and pleural calcifications, which are sensitive markers of asbestos exposure. One or both of these markers are seen in 85% or more of all individuals who are exposed to asbestos at an above-background level.^28,29

Figure 20-1 Chest radiograph from a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma demonstrating a large left pleural effusion.

Figure 20-2 A, Computed tomography scan of the chest from a patient with pleural mesothelioma. A multinodular and confluent tumor of the left chest is apparent. B, Magnetic resonance image of another patient with a large left pleural mesothelioma.

Other laboratory abnormalities in MM cases are relatively few and nondescript. However, a substantial proportion of patients have tumor-related thrombocytosis, with platelet counts greater than 400,000 mm3.^30–33This may relate to the elaboration of interleukin-6 by the tumor cells, inasmuch as that cytokine is known to stimulate thrombopoiesis and is often elevated in both pleural fluid and serum in individuals with MM.³⁴ As expected, an excess of thrombotic events is associated with MM-related thrombocythemia.³⁰

It must be emphasized that none of the clinical findings just mentioned is specific for MM and may also be encountered in connection with other primary pleural neoplasms or metastases to the pleura. In particular, the peculiar form of lung cancer known as pseudomesotheliomatous (pleurotropic) adenocarcinoma (see Chapter 16) is capable of reproducing the symptomatic and radiographic constellation of abnormalities associated with mesothelioma^34–38 (Fig. 20-3).

Figure 20-3 A, Computed tomography scan of the chest from a patient with pseudomesotheliomatous adenocarcinoma of the right lung. B, Autopsy specimen from the same patient. The tumor encases the right lung both radiographically and grossly, recapitulating the features of mesothelioma.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is now the preferred method for obtaining diagnostic pleural tissue.^39–41 VATS (Fig. 20-4) is superior to cytologic sampling of pleural fluid and closed-needle biopsies because of its much greater yield. VATS also produces a specimen of sufficient size for visualization of microarchitectural landmarks. In addition, the morbidity associated with this method is very low. Finally, cytologic examination of pleural fluid in VATS produces positive results in only a minority of cases. This may be because the free surfaces of MMs may be coated with a layer of fibrinoinflammatory exudate, possibly with a misleading benign mesothelial reaction. This process may “wall off” the tumor cells and prevent them from shedding freely into the pleural fluid.^42,43

Figure 20-4 A and B, Thoracoscopic images of pleural mesothelioma.

One unwanted but well-reported complication of thoracic biopsies in MM is the growth of tumor along needle or instrumentation tracks in the chest wall.^44,45 The reason for this peculiar behavior is currently unknown.

In general, once the clinical presence of diffuse pleural MM has been established, ensuing survival is limited. Most patients live roughly 1 year after diagnosis, regardless of the therapeutic intervention used.^46–49 However, a small minority of individuals with good overall performance status and limited intrathoracic disease may be candidates for extrapleural pneumonectomy.^49,50 This procedure has resulted in lengthened median survival in some published series⁵⁰; however, a significant proportion of patients go on to demonstrate the presence of distant metastases of MM under such circumstances, perhaps because of this shift in the natural history of the tumor. Radiotherapy has also been given after extrapleural pneumonectomy, especially for the attempted salvage of patients with recurrent tumor.⁴⁹ Nevertheless, along with most chemotherapeutic approaches and immunomodulation,⁵¹ this treatment modality has not produced uniformly encouraging results. An epithelial histologic subtype, a favorable overall performance score, relatively young age, and the absence of chest pain are all correlated with better survival.¹⁸

A more favorable prognosis is also associated with localized malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare lesion.^52–54 It often grows preferentially into the soft tissue of the chest wall rather than along the pleural surface and, thus, presents itself as a discrete mass. Radical surgical removal of localized mesothelioma results in long-term survival in up to 50% of cases.⁵⁴

Etiologic Considerations in Pleural Mesothelioma

The potential causal association between pleural mesotheliomas and occupational-level asbestos exposure is well known. However, practically speaking, physicians rarely concern themselves with the etiology of these tumors at a clinical level, because diagnosis and therapy are the principal focuses of their attention. In this context, the pathologic findings are, by far, the most important consideration.

However, the nearly ubiquitous involvement of attorneys in mesothelioma cases, as part of the burgeoning field known as “toxic tort” law,⁵⁵ has compelled physicians to acquire a working familiarity with the pathogenetic underpinnings of MM. Because of this reality, a brief review of that subject will be provided here; additional information is presented in Chapter 9, which deals specifically with pneumoconioses.

In the early- to mid-1960s, a causal connection between high-level inhalation of amphibole-class asbestos fibers and mesothelioma was first established to the satisfaction of the medical community at large, through the efforts of Wagner and colleagues and others.^56–59 At first, epidemiologic surveys were the principal tools whereby this association was identified. However, this avenue of investigation, in which exposures are ascertained primarily by word-of-mouth information, is applicable to patient groups rather than individuals. In the current social environment of the 21st century, epidemiologic questioning and medical history taking are plagued by significant problems in trying to determine the causation of any given case of MM. This is true because media-related exposure of the potential linkage between mesothelioma and asbestos has been robust. Therefore, patients with MM are inculcated with the belief that they must have been exposed to asbestos somewhere and somehow in the past. Moreover, another very real issue concerning the pathogenesis of MM is whether chrysotile-type asbestos—the most commonly used representative of the mineral group in the past several decades—is effective as a carcinogen in this specific context. Aggregated data suggest that chrysotile has very weak mesothelioma genesis.^60–63 Hence, asbestos exposure as a generic term has an indefinite and imprecise meaning for individual patients in the absence of other data.⁶⁴

Fortunately, objective information is available to address this area of causation. This is important not only for the legal system—where it can be used to provide concrete fact instead of hearsay—but also for physicians who are committed to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Examination of pathologic specimens continues to be a linchpin in this setting. If conventional light microscopic scrutiny of sections of lung parenchyma demonstrates asbestos bodies at an above-background density (Fig. 20-5), or these structures are seen in intrathoracic lymph nodes, it may be concluded that a mesothelioma in the same case is indeed asbestos-related. Similarly, the radiographic or pathologic presence of pleural plaques, pleural calcifications, or rounded atelectasis (Fig. 20-6) serves a comparable purpose.^65–67 Ultimately, the most direct and best approach to evaluating the presence of asbestos in lung tissue is to perform a digestion analysis of representative parenchymal samples (Fig. 20-7), comparing the density of asbestos fibers found by such methods to that which is present in a carefully assembled age-matched and sex-matched control population, acquired from the same geographic region as that in which the patient lived.⁶⁸

Figure 20-5 A cluster of ferruginated asbestos bodies is present in this section of lung tissue, establishing the presence of a supranormal asbestos burden.

Figure 20-6 This computed tomogram of the chest demonstrates rounded atelectasis in the left posterior lung field. This finding is strongly correlated with above-background asbestos exposure.

Figure 20-7 Multiple asbestos bodies are present in this lung tissue digest preparation, taken from a patient with above-background asbestos exposure.

Using the last of these techniques, Roggli and associates have shown that a bimodal distribution of pulmonary asbestos burdens is associated with pleural MMs.⁶⁹ The majority of patients (group I) have a density of asbestos bodies above 20 per gram of wet lung tissue. The remaining patients (group II) manifest an asbestos burden identical to that seen in appropriate reference cohorts. These data strongly support the conclusion that group II MMs are not etiologically related to asbestos, and, in the absence of other potential causes (see later discussion), these cases are properly termed “idiopathic” or “spontaneous” mesotheliomas. Practically speaking, one can use the latter designation if no objective support for asbestos causation is apparent in a case in question, based on a review of thoracic imaging studies, pleuropulmonary tissue biopsies, or autopsy specimens of lung and pleura.⁷⁰

The proportion of MMs that is idiopathic in nature has varied from study to study in the published literature, probably as a function of geographic and chronologic bias.⁷¹ Cited percentages have generally been between 25% and 40% of all pleural mesotheliomas.⁷² In our experience in recent years, using the objective approach just outlined, approximately 40% of MMs are spontaneous neoplasms with no definable etiologic linkage to asbestos.

Pleural mesotheliomas that are caused by asbestos develop after a long latency period, typically longer than 20 years in duration.⁷³ The reason for this hiatus is not clear, but it appears that the carcinogenic effect of this mineral group requires a prolonged time—and probably a complicated set of intermediate cellular events^74–76—to become manifest. Attanoos and coworkers⁷⁷ have described a remarkable group of nine asbestos-related mesothelioma cases (eight of which concerned pleural tumors) in which a second concurrent malignancy was present as well. Six of the patients had bronchogenic carcinomas—accompanied by pulmonary asbestosis in five—and the remaining individuals had colorectal, breast, and pancreatic carcinomas. The nine patients in that series represented 1.8% of all mesothelioma cases seen at our institutions.

Other documented etiologies for pleural MM besides asbestos undeniably exist.^70,71,78,79 These include prior therapeutic irradiation to the anatomic region in which the mesothelioma develops^80–85; chronic serosal inflammation, such as that associated with tuberculosis, pleural empyema, familial Mediterranean fever, or chronic collagen vascular diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus)^86–89; membership in familial cancer kindreds (“Lynch families”)^12,13,90; prior administration of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), a radiologic imaging agent^91,92; and inhalational exposure to erionite, another mineral group.^93,94 Infection with Simian virus-40 has recently been examined as another possible cause of human mesothelioma, with contradictory, but usually negative, conclusions.^95–100

Interestingly, mesothelioma is a well-documented malignancy of cattle and other animals (both wild and domesticated), and the clinicopathologic attributes of such animal tumors are comparable in every way to those of spontaneous human MMs.^101–107 Further attention to the potential pathogeneses of veterinary mesotheliomas could possibly be illuminating in a mechanistic sense.

Gross Features of Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma may occasionally produce striking clinical symptoms, including large pleural effusions, while the tumor is still invisible radiographically. Moreover, direct examination of the pleural surfaces in such cases—via such techniques as VATS—likewise may be relatively unrevealing, and a pathologic diagnosis of MM in biopsies done in such circumstances is often met with disbelief. Only the passage of time, with progressive development of the characteristic phenotype of mesothelioma, may suffice to convince all concerned that the tumor is actually present.

However, more typically, clinical abnormalities are accompanied by multifocal “studding” of the visceral or parietal pleural surfaces, or both, by firm white-gray nodules that individually measure up to several centimeters in diameter. With time, these become innumerable and confluent, obliterating the pleural cavity and often forming a thick layer of constricting neoplastic tissue (Figs. 20-8 and 20-9). Invasion of contiguous structures, including the peripheral lung parenchyma, pericardium and myocardium, adventitia of the great thoracic blood vessels, and soft tissue of the chest wall, is common as tumor growth advances. In addition, mesotheliomas of the pleura may cross the central apertures of the diaphragm to secondarily involve the peritoneal cavity,¹⁰⁸ and they are also capable of crossing the mediastinum to involve the contralateral hemithorax. If the patient survives long enough, the terminal image of the tumor may be that of a dense rind of tissue that encases the viscera of the chest.¹⁰⁹ Grossly visible metastases in regional lymph nodes and distant sites may also be appreciated, but they generally appear only late in the clinical course. It should be noted that there is nothing specific about the macroscopic characteristics just outlined. They are potentially common to MM, metastatic carcinoma in the pleural spaces, pleural lymphoma, and primary pleural sarcomas.^{34–36,110,111}

Figure 20-8 Photograph of a gross specimen of malignant pleural mesothelioma, taken at autopsy. The tumor envelops one lung and is adherent to mediastinal structures as well.

Figure 20-9 Photograph of a gross specimen of malignant pleural mesothelioma showing a bulky mass that effaces the pleural space and compresses the lung.

Solitary (localized) MMs of the pleura most often grow exophytically into the soft tissue of the chest (Fig. 20-10) or, alternatively, into the subjacent lung parenchyma, rather than spreading along the serosal surfaces.^54,112 As such, they can macroscopically simulate peripheral carcinomas of the lung.

Figure 20-10 The computed tomogram (A) and gross surgical specimen (B) demonstrate a localized mass in the pleura that proved to be malignant mesothelioma. Histologically, it was an epithelioid lesion (C and D).

The cut surfaces of mesotheliomas are nondescript. Most often they are white-gray with a relatively firm consistency on sectioning, because of the stromal fibrosis they incite. Desmoplastic MMs are particularly dense when they are incised.

Cytopathologic Features of Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelial proliferations in the pleura have a wide spectrum of potential cytomorphologic appearances and can rightfully be included in several generic cytologic categories that encompass small round cell tumors, polygonal cell malignancies, spindle cell and pleomorphic lesions, and neoplasms with mixed cellular features.¹¹³ However, traditionally, three broad histopathologic patterns of mesothelioma have been considered: epithelial (including tubulopapillary, oncocytoid/deciduoid, clear cell, and small cell subtypes), sarcomatoid (including desmoplastic and “lymphohistiocytoid” variants), and biphasic. These lesions may, on occasion, show other unusual histopathologic features, such as the presence of extensive myxoid change, “glomeruloid” features, adenomatoid tumor-like images, “rhabdoid” features, and metaplastic formation of bone and cartilage.

Epithelial mesothelioma is composed of sheets and clusters of variably atypical epithelioid cells in effusion cytology specimens. Such samples are typically densely cellular (Fig 20-11). Mitotic figures and background necrosis are uncommon, but these two features may certainly be apparent in high-grade lesions. Epithelial MMs may also show papillary or tubular cell groups (Fig. 20-12), and, in thoracentesis specimens, the malignant cells may be surprisingly bland cytologically.^114–119 Conversely, benign reactive mesothelia can show an alarming degree of nuclear atypia, compounding the difficulty of their diagnostic separation from malignancies.^116,120 Groups of both reactive and neoplastic mesothelial cells may demonstrate intercellular spaces or “windows,” and sufficient dispersion of such elements shows the presence of fuzzy cell membranes due to the presence of elongated plasmalemmal microvilli (Fig. 20-13). Nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratios are high in obviously anaplastic MMs, but this finding may not be characteristic of all tumors. Small cell epithelial mesothelioma demonstrates tightly clustered cell groups with scant cytoplasm and no obvious microvilli. It may be exceedingly similar cytomorphologically to other small cell malignant neoplasms, particularly small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma¹²¹ (Fig. 20-14).

Figure 20-11 A, Dense cellularity is evident in this cytologic preparation of pleural fluid from a patient with pleural mesothelioma. B, The tumor cells show substantial nuclear pleomorphism with coarse chromatin.

Figure 20-12 A tubular profile of tumor cells is apparent in this pleural fluid cytology preparation of malignant mesothelioma.

Figure 20-13 A and B, “Fuzzy” cell membranes are apparent in this example of malignant mesothelioma in a pleural fluid cytology specimen. That finding relates to the presence of elaborate plasmalemmal microvilli.

Figure 20-14 Cytologic specimen from a case of small cell malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. A morphologic similarity to small cell lung carcinoma is readily evident.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma contains cytologically malignant dyshesive fusiform cell proliferations that cytologically imitate other tumors of mesenchymal origin (i.e., sarcomas)¹²² (Fig. 20-15). In pleural effusions, the tumor cells of sarcomatoid MM are few in number if they are present at all, with scant cytoplasm, elongated nuclei, and rare mitotic figures. A subtype of this variant is the desmoplastic mesothelioma, which is characterized histologically by a bland appearance of the spindle cells that are embedded in a hypocellular, abundantly collagenized stroma.¹²³ As one might expect, diagnostic tumor cells from desmoplastic tumors rarely, if ever, are shed into effusions.

Figure 20-15 Cytologic specimen of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma showing scanty dyshesive and pleomorphic tumor cells.

In the past, “lymphohistiocytoid” mesothelioma was regarded as a sarcomatoid MM variant,¹²⁴ but it actually bears more resemblance to lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas of various organs than to true sarcomas.¹²⁵ In this lesion, one sees syncytia of polyhedral cells with prominent nucleoli, admixed with numerous mature lymphocytes. Biphasic mesotheliomas manifest a combination of the cytomorphologic patterns that are expected in epithelial and sarcomatoid tumors.¹¹⁵

Many pathologists are still reluctant to make a diagnosis of mesothelioma based only on effusion cytology specimens, in light of the pitfalls mentioned above. However, our experience over time has shown that this hesitancy is often unnecessary. If several pleural fluid samples in a given case consistently show dense cellularity, an overwhelming dominance of cells with clearly mesothelial morphologic features, three-dimensional cellular aggregates, and at least some nuclear atypia, a diagnosis of MM is likely. This interpretation can be solidified by preparation of cell block sections (Fig. 20-16) and the application of adjunctive studies.^126,127 Therefore, a conclusive opinion can indeed be rendered by the cytopathologist in a sizable proportion of mesothelioma cases.

Figure 20-16 Cell block preparation of pleural fluid in a case of malignant mesothelioma demonstrating a sheet of epithelioid tumor cells with atypical nuclear profiles.

Kimura and colleagues¹²⁸ have proposed that a scoring system be applied as an aid in this process. Using a scale with a maximum value of 10, these authors assigned one point to each of the following features, in favor of an ultimate diagnosis of MM: variety of cell size, cytoplasmic cyanophilia with visible microvilli, sheetlike cell arrangement, “mirror ball”–like cell groups, obvious nuclear atypia, and cell cannibalism. Two-point values were assigned to the presence of large acidophilic nucleoli and to multinucleated cells with more than eight nuclei. In an analysis of 22 MMs, with 20 cases of conditions featuring benign mesothelial atypia and 50 examples of metastatic carcinoma, the “Kimura system” was effective at separating mesotheliomas, which had scores of more than five, from the other specified lesions.¹²⁸

Histopathologic Features of Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma generally, but not always, spreads multifocally throughout the pleural soft tissues, demonstrating invasion of the peripheral-most subpleural lung tissue in many cases. Other uncommon histologic patterns of growth include¹²⁹ lymphangitic spread in the lung (Fig. 20-17); pulmonary alveolar permeation through the pores of Kohn, mimicking organizing pneumonia (Fig. 20-18); and lepidic intrapulmonary growth, mantling alveolar septa.

Figure 20-17 Lymphangitic intrapulmonary growth of pleural mesothelioma is seen in this photomicrograph.

Figure 20-18 Permeative intrapulmonary growth of mesothelioma is demonstrated here. The tumor has grown into alveolar spaces through the pores of Kohn and is mimicking organizing pneumonia.

There is no substantial difference between the histology of untreated and residual treated mesotheliomas.¹³⁰

The general histologic categorization of MMs has been outlined previously. However, additional details will be provided in the following sections.

Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Epithelioid malignant mesothelioma (EMM) is the most commonly encountered microscopic subtype.¹³¹ In the majority of cases, the lesion is composed of sheets and nests of polyhedral cells with moderately atypical nuclear features, clear infiltration of the pleural soft tissue or subjacent lung, or both. Lesions comprising uniform expanses of densely apposed polygonal cells are known as “solid” epithelioid MMs (Fig. 20-19). In other tumors, glandlike profiles are common; indeed, some cases demonstrate a predominance of such structures, prompting use of the terms “tubular” or “pseudoglandular” EMM. Micropapillary cell groups are also frequent, and, when they uniformly characterize the lesion, the term “tubulopapillary” MM is rightly applied (Fig. 20-20). This subtype of mesothelioma may be particularly associated with lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis.¹³² Although psammomatous microcalcifications are associated with other epithelial malignancies having a papillary configuration, they are only rarely seen in pleural mesotheliomas.¹³³

Figure 20-19 A and B, “Solid” malignant mesothelioma of the pleura comprising confluent sheets and nests of polygonal tumor cells.

Figure 20-20 A and B, Tubulopapillary malignant pleural mesothelioma demonstrating micropapillary profiles of polyhedral cells.

A useful diagnostic finding in EMM concerns the tinctorial properties of the tumoral stroma. Lightly hematoxylinophilic and myxoid material may be seen between epithelioid cell groups in this lesion, representing the presence of stromal mucin.¹³⁴ Although it is not specific, this observation does favor an interpretation of MM over one of carcinoma. An extension of the same property is reflected by the cytoplasmic characteristics of some tumor cells in EMM, which demonstrate macrovacuoles having a bluish cast (Fig. 20-21). These probably represent intracellular inclusions of the same stromal material.

Figure 20-21 Large cytoplasmic vacuoles are apparent in this example of malignant epithelioid pleural mesothelioma. These probably contain stromal-type mucin that is produced by the tumor cells.

“Lymphohistiocytoid” mesothelioma has been mentioned earlier. To recapitulate, it has a histologic appearance that is markedly similar to that of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (Fig. 20-22).

Figure 20-22 A and B, “Lymphohistiocytoid” malignant pleural mesothelioma comprises syncytia of large epithelioid cells with numerous admixed lymphocytes. The image is reminiscent of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas.

One subtype of EMM has been called “deciduoid” mesothelioma because of the impression that its constituent cells resemble those of decidua in the female genital tract.^135–137 As such, they assume a large polygonal cell image with relatively abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and oval vesicular nuclei. This relatively bland appearance belies the invasive nature of deciduoid MM, the biologic features of which are comparable to those of other forms of mesothelioma. Synonyms for this variant are “oxyphilic” or “oncocytoid” MM.¹⁰¹

Another form of EMM contains polyhedral cells with strikingly lucent cytoplasm and is accordingly known as “clear cell” mesothelioma^138–140 (Fig. 20-23). This variant is extremely uncommon, at least in pure form, and is also related to “foam cell” or “lipid-rich” MM.¹²⁵

Figure 20-23 Clear cell malignant pleural mesothelioma demonstrating uniform cytoplasmic lucency. This change may be caused by accumulation of glycogen or lipid in the neoplastic cells.

Rarely, foci in EMM may simulate the microscopic appearance of pleural adenomatoid tumors (see Chapter 19), with bland microcystic glandlike profiles composed of compact epithelioid cells.¹⁴¹ However, other areas in those lesions typically have the conventional image of ordinary mesothelioma.

“Glomeruloid” mesothelioma is a relatively recently described variant in which the tumor cells form peculiar arrays that resemble glomeruli in the renal cortex (Fig. 20-24).¹⁴² Again, its behavioral properties are no different than those of ordinary EMMs.

Figure 20-24 A and B, “Glomeruloid” mesothelioma in which the neoplastic epithelial cells are arranged in a configuration that markedly resembles renal glomeruli.

Mention must also be made here of the concept of mesothelioma in situ. This term has been applied to cytologically atypical proliferations of epithelioid mesothelial cells that are confined to the pleural surface, with no evidence of invasion across its basement membrane^143,144 (Fig. 20-25). Reports on this finding have been limited to cases where other areas of the pleura did demonstrate infiltrative MM. Hence, it is still not clear as to whether pleural mesothelioma can truly exist in an exclusively in situ form. In fact, we have never seen an autopsy case that involved this finding.

Figure 20-25 So-called in situ mesothelioma showing noninvasive foci of atypical mesothelial cells.

Sarcomatoid (Spindle Cell) Mesothelioma

Sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma (SMM) (also see Chapter 14) is comprised of fusiform cells with variable degrees of atypia and pleomorphism.^{122,131,145–147} These may be arranged in fascicles, storiform arrays, or random configurations (Figs. 20-26 and 20-27). Tumoral collagen synthesis is likewise heterogeneous. The prevalence of mitotic activity and necrosis in such lesions generally parallels their histologic grade. A special variant of SMM is that which shows divergent differentiation into “heterologous” mesenchymal tissues such as osteoid, cartilage, and striated muscle (Fig. 20-28).^148–150 It could rightly be called “metaplastic” SMM. Tumors with angiosarcoma-like foci in this category have also been termed “pseudovascular” or “angiomatoid” mesotheliomas (Fig. 20-29). Klebe and associates have suggested that all pleural neoplasms with purely sarcomatous features should be classified as mesotheliomas, even if they are immunohistologically negative for keratin.¹⁵¹ We cannot agree with that conclusion, because, as discussed subsequently, their experience is that SMMs express keratin in virtually every case regardless of morphologic nuances.

Figure 20-26 Sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma of the pleura (A) showing a disorganized proliferation of highly atypical spindle cells (B).

Figure 20-27 A fine needle aspiration biopsy of sarcomatoid mesothelioma showing dyshesive and markedly pleomorphic spindle cells. They were keratin-positive.

Figure 20-28 A and B, Divergent osteochondroid differentiation in sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Figure 20-29 A histologic resemblance to angiosarcoma is seen in this “pseudovascular” mesothelioma.

Myxoid stroma may also dominate the microscopic picture in occasional examples of SMMs. When cellular atypia in sarcomatoid mesothelioma is extreme, the designations “anaplastic” or “pleomorphic” MM are appropriate.¹⁵²

Desmoplastic Mesothelioma

As mentioned earlier, desmoplastic malignant mesothelioma (DMM) is a special subtype of SMM in which spindle-shaped or stellate neoplastic cells are bland cytologically and have a low density per unit area.^{123,153–155} They are set in a markedly collagenized and hyalinized stromal matrix, often with a “basket weave” configuration like that of pleural plaques or fibrohyaline pleuritis (fibrous pleurisy)¹²³ (Fig. 20-30). Mitoses are sparse, and necrosis is limited if it is present at all. The World Health Organization recommends that the designation DMM be used when more than 50% of the tumor shows this pattern. Many SMMs and some biphasic tumors (see later discussion) also contain small foci in which a desmoplastic foci can be seen; in such cases mention of such foci is recommended, because this variant has a particularly poor prognosis.

Figure 20-30 A and B, This example of desmoplastic pleural mesothelioma shows a relatively bland, pleural plaquelike morphologic appearance.

The malignant nature of DMM is manifested by its invasion of underlying lung or adjacent soft tissues¹⁵⁶ (Fig. 20-31). In addition, careful scrutiny of the tumor usually (but not always) reveals a level of cellular atypism and a degree of cellular density that exceeds that of benign pleural lesions (Fig. 20-32). Moreover, there is no microscopic “zonation” in DMM. That phenomenon is best represented in fibrohyaline pleuritis, in which lesional cellularity decreases as one moves spatially from the pleural space into the subjacent tissues.¹⁵⁷ The Verhoeff-Van Gieson elastic stain is helpful in the differential diagnosis of fibrohyaline pleuritis versus DMM. Mesotheliomas show a paucity of internal elastic fibers, or, if they are present, there is no regularity of their orientation. In contrast, fibrous pleuritis usually exhibits a retention of laminated, roughly parallel elastic tissue throughout the thickened visceral pleura (see Chapter 18).

Figure 20-31 A, Invasion of pleural soft tissue is apparent in this example of desmoplastic mesothelioma. B, Confirmation with immunohistologic staining for cytokeratin is often helpful and can highlight subtle foci of invasion.

Figure 20-32 At least focally, most examples of desmoplastic mesothelioma show significant nuclear atypia, as shown here. However, the finding is dependent on sampling.

Biphasic Mesothelioma

As their name suggests, biphasic malignant mesotheliomas are typified by admixtures of two morphologic configurations, usually at least one variant of EMM and at least one in the spectrum of SMM. Those components may be abruptly juxtaposed to one another or blend imperceptibly¹³¹ (Fig. 20-33). Schramm and coworkers have suggested that biphasic malignant mesotheliomas typify the “epithelial-mesenchymal” transition that can be seen in several tumor types, and that this phenomenon worsens the behavior of epithelial neoplasms.¹⁵⁸

Figure 20-33 A and B, Biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma showing foci of overtly epithelioid growth juxtaposed to fusiform and pleomorphic elements.

Small Cell Mesothelioma

Another uncommon type of MM is its small cell form, a variant of epithelial MM.^121,159 It is only rarely seen in “pure” form and usually includes a portion of tumors with other histologic patterns. This lesion is composed of compact round cells with high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratios, oval nuclei with dispersed chromatin, variably discernible nucleoli, and scant amphophilic cytoplasm (Fig. 20-34). As such, it is morphologically similar to several other malignant small cell/basaloid neoplasms, including basaloid carcinoma, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, small cell melanoma, small round cell sarcomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Figure 20-34 A and B, Small-cell malignant pleural mesothelioma represented by a sheet of relatively monomorphic and compact tumor cells.

Rhabdoid Mesothelioma

Over the past decade, it has become apparent that a relatively broad spectrum of malignant tumors may exhibit a “rhabdoid” phenotype, akin to that seen in high-grade pediatric renal neoplasms. Extrarenal rhabdoid tumors (ERTs) may be “pure” histologically, or they may represent a new clonal element that has arisen from another recognizable tumor type.¹⁶⁰ Hence, one may see ERTs in combination with a definable carcinoma, melanoma, or sarcoma. In the latter instance, the term “composite” ERT is apropos. MMs are no exception to these precepts. Thus, wholly rhabdoid MMs may be encountered in some cases, whereas other pleural mesotheliomas may show an “ordinary” morphotype that is admixed with ERTs.^161,162

Rhabdoid cells are characterized by a moderately pleomorphic epithelioid shape, eccentric nuclei with vesicular chromatin and prominent nucleoli, and distinctive eosinophilic cytoplasm having a hard globular quality (Fig. 20-35). They are relatively dyshesive; occasional spindle cell change and multinucleation may be seen as well.

Figure 20-35 A and B, Rhabdoid malignant mesothelioma showing poorly cohesive large ovoid cells that contain hard eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions.

Classic rhabdoid tumors of the kidney and nervous systems show consistent loss of the intranuclear INI1 gene product, which functions as a tumor suppressor.¹⁶³ However, composite rhabdoid lesions generally retain it. To date, no published studies have addressed the INI1 status of rhabdoid MM.

The principal significance of a rhabdoid phenotype is the biologic aggressiveness with which it is associated, regardless of other clinicopathologic details of the individual tumor.^160,162 Nonetheless, because mesotheliomas as a group have such an adverse outcome, the behavioral impact of rhabdoid change is not as great in this particular context.

Histochemical Features of Pleural Mesothelioma

Up until 20 years ago, the separation of MMs from other histologically similar neoplasms was based largely on histochemical results. The capacity for adenocarcinomas to synthesize epithelial mucin (Fig. 20-36) had been recognized quickly after the application of specialized biochemical methods in surgical pathology, and it was soon recognized that mesotheliomas did not possess this ability.^167–174 Conversely, MMs were found to manufacture stromal mucin, which was labeled by the colloidal iron or Alcian blue methods at pH 2.5, and prior treatment of tissue sections with hyaluronidase removed this substance^{167,170,173,175} (Fig. 20-37). Thus, these observations set the stage for the use of the periodic acid/Schiff technique, with and without diastase predigestion (to remove glycogen, which, like epithelial mucin, is positive for periodic acid/Schiff); the mucicarmine method (to label epithelial mucin); and the colloidal iron or Alcian blue procedures, with and without hyaluronidase pretreatment, for the histochemical delineation of adenocarcinomas and mesotheliomas.

Figure 20-36 Histochemical reactivity is seen with the digested periodic acid/Schiff method in pseudomesotheliomatous adenocarcinoma of the pleura.

Figure 20-37 Colloidal iron (CI) staining of malignant epithelioid pleural mesothelioma showing the presence of intercellular stromal mucin. It is represented by the blue matrix in this photomicrograph. Pretreatment of histologic sections from this case with hyaluronidase abolished the CI positivity.

Such an approach is still useful, but there are several caveats that must be borne in mind. First, histochemical studies for epithelial mucin are most useful in the distinction of epithelioid mesothelioma variants from other tumors, and they lose much of their value if the differential diagnosis is that of SMM versus spindle cell carcinoma or true sarcoma. Carcinomas that are not overtly gland-forming also commonly lack mucin production; on the other hand, some sarcomatoid carcinomas and various sarcomas may acquire stromal mucin synthesis as seen in SMM.

Providing that one observes the cautions just cited, epithelioid mesotheliomas can be distinguished from carcinomas histochemically in approximately 50% of cases.¹⁴⁹ The periodic acid/Schiff–diastase technique is the most useful for that purpose, because, at least, in our experience, it is more sensitive than the mucicarmine (Best) stain. Moreover, there have been sporadic reports of MMs that were spuriously labeled with the mucicarmine procedure, apparently because it unexpectedly recognized a form of stromal mucin.¹⁷⁶ Pretreatment with hyaluronidase is successful in abrogating that aberrant reactivity, and therefore it should be used routinely if mucicarmine is utilized in differential diagnoses that include epithelioid MM.

In the same vein, colloidal iron and Alcian blue methods commonly label epithelial as well as stromal mucins. Hence, only those epithelioid lesions that lose their colloidal iron/Alcian blue positivity after hyaluronidase predigestion are consistent with mesothelial neoplasms.^{167,169–171} Again, roughly 50% of polygonal cell MMs manifest this pattern of reactivity.

During the 1980s, it was recognized that silver impregnation methods were able to label accumulations of intranuclear proteins that are associated with active transcription of nucleic acid. The silver-positive argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs, or silver-stained nucleolar organizing regions) are now known to be related to double chromosomal “satellites,” chromosome polymorphisms, and structural abnormalities involving chromosomal satellite regions.^177–179 Silver nitrate (in colloidal suspension) has an affinity for them, yielding a black precipitate, and discrete globular deposits of it are then visible in positive nuclei on conventional microscopy. The number of AgNORs seen in this way appears to parallel the density of quantitative markers of nucleolar protein synthesis, such as fibrillarin¹⁸⁰ (Fig. 20-38). Several authors have confirmed the fact that MMs and carcinomas both have higher AgNOR counts per nucleus than do reactive mesothelial proliferations.^181–183 Therefore, the usual application of this method is not to separate mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma but to distinguish MM from an atypical but benign mesothelial proliferation.^181,182 AgNOR values in those two groups have ranged from slightly greater than 1 in minimally atypical benign mesothelial cells to greater than 7.5 in highly anaplastic mesothelioma cells, usually showing a bimodal distribution in mesotheliosis and MM.¹⁸⁴ Despite the hopeful nature of these results, substantial numerical overlap still exists between the two lesional groups in question. Some have successfully used these results in combination with immunohistochemistry, image cytometry, and in situ hybridization assessment of chromosome 9p21 deletions to allow for greater than 95% accurate separation of reactive from neoplastic mesothelial proliferations.^185,186

Figure 20-38 Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in this malignant mesothelioma are visible as black intranuclear deposits (left). They colocalize with immunofluorescent signals for fibrillarin (right), a nucleolar protein.

Electron Microscopic Features of Pleural Mesothelioma

In the early 1970s, several investigators began to catalog the ultrastructural characteristics of MM and compare them with those of histologically similar neoplasms.^187–189 Through the ensuing years, it has become apparent that transmission electron microscopy is an extremely effective tool in the delineation of mesothelial differentiation. In addition, it provides valuable information in the differential diagnosis of other malignancies.^190,191

In epithelioid mesotheliomas, a constellation of findings that includes abundant tangles of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, with focal formation of perinuclear tonofibrils; elongated and complex desmosomes (Fig. 20-39); an absence of mucin droplets; and the presence of long, branching, plasmalemmal microvilli (with a length-to-diameter ratio of 10:1 or more)^190–194 (Fig. 20-40) is typical. Other common findings include cytoplasmic glycogen deposits, dilated intercellular spaces, and intracellular lumina, which are also often lined by microvilli. External microvillous projections are sometimes difficult to evaluate with regard to their dimensions, because they can be compressed and distorted when caught between adjacent tumor cells. Basal laminae are also present around many of the neoplastic cells in mesotheliomas, and the microvilli are often coated by an amorphous granular material^195,196 (Fig. 20-41).

Figure 20-39 Prominent, elongated desmosomes (left center) join the tumor cells of a malignant mesothelioma in this electron photomicrograph.

Figure 20-40 A to C, Elongated and “bushy” plasmalemmal microvilli are seen in these epithelioid mesotheliomas ultrastructurally.

Figure 20-41 A delicate granular coating of electron-dense material is seen on the surfaces of microvilli in this epithelioid mesothelioma.

Relatively few neoplasms show all of the “classic” characteristics of MM,¹⁹⁵ but most mesothelial tumors manifest enough of them to make their identification straightforward. In contrast, metastatic adenocarcinomas (MACs) of various anatomic origins, which represent the principal diagnostic alternative to MM, exhibit short truncated microvilli and an absence of tonofibrils and may contain intracytoplasmic mucin granules as well.^{190,197–199} Wick and colleagues¹⁷⁴ performed a comparative study of electron microscopy and immunohistology in the distinction between EMMs and MACs, and they found the two techniques to be comparable in efficacy.

The polygonal cells in biphasic mesotheliomas exhibit fine structural features that are comparable to those of pure EMM. Thus, electron microscopy is similarly helpful in separating such tumors from biphasic sarcomatoid carcinomas involving the pleura.

On the other hand, SMMs lose the distinctive plasmalemmal modifications that characterize their epithelioid counterparts. Spindle cell and pleomorphic mesotheliomas most closely resemble true sarcomas at an ultrastructural level (Fig. 20-42), except for the presence of rare intercellular junctional complexes and intermediate filament bundles.^{122,193,200,201} In that specific context, electron microscopic assessment is not definitive diagnostically.

Figure 20-42 Sarcomatoid mesothelioma differs substantially from epithelioid tumors by electron microscopy; this example resembles fibrosarcoma ultrastructurally.

Some authors have suggested that ultrastructural studies no longer add substantively to the diagnosis of MM.²⁰² However, other authors^203,204 (and those of this chapter) do not agree.

Immunohistochemical Findings in Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma has been vigorously studied immunohistochemically over the past two decades. From a histopathologic point of view, there are four settings in which immunophenotyping plays an important role in its diagnosis:

Among these problems, the one that is most commonly encountered is that of mesothelioma versus metastatic carcinoma. Despite the more uncommon nature of SMM, immunohistochemistry is nonetheless equally useful in its distinction from true sarcomas affecting the pleural space. However, in the remaining settings, in which the differential diagnosis involves a benign or reactive condition, the practical contribution of immunophenotyping is much more limited. With specific reference to desmoplastic mesothelioma, it has been properly suggested that because of its poor prognosis and the lack of effective treatment, underdiagnosis of that tumor is preferable to overdiagnosis.¹⁵³ It may well take several biopsies to establish a definitive interpretation in such cases.

Each of the previously cited diagnostic questions is associated with differing panels of immunohistochemical reagents. For instance, in cases of possible spindle cell or desmoplastic mesothelioma, immunohistologic evaluation should principally focus on whether the tumor is keratin-positive. Calretinin, Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene product, and podoplanin have much lower rates of reactivity in SMMs compared with epithelioid and biphasic variants. Other markers, such as desmin, muscle-specific actin, and S-100 protein, are necessary only to subtype a mesenchymal neoplasm if the keratin reaction is negative. In the morphologic context of sarcoma-like tumors, the application of antibodies that are used to recognize overtly epithelial tumors (e.g., Ber-Ep4, CD15, cancer antigen 72-4 [CA 72-4], and carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA]) is illogical, because neither sarcomas nor sarcomatoid carcinomas synthesize the targets of these reagents.²⁰⁵ The following sections will review the different analytes that have been tested clinically in the study of MM, to provide a guide for a practical approach to immunohistochemical analysis.

Antibodies Often Used in the Analysis of Possible Mesothelioma

General and Exclusionary Markers

Keratins

Keratin antibodies have been extensively applied to MMs and their simulators, with the principal goal of distinguishing mesothelioma from adenocarcinomas^206–211 and true sarcomas. Some authors have concluded that particular staining patterns for specific keratins may allow for the separation of those tumor types, and differing degrees of contextual specificity and sensitivity have been ascribed to various keratin subsets. In particular, antibodies to keratin 5/6 have been promoted as helpful immunohistochemical markers for MM²¹¹ (Fig. 20-43). In one assessment, Ordóñez found that 40 examples of mesothelioma were positive for keratin 5/6, whereas 30 pulmonary adenocarcinomas were negative. However, he also observed focal reactivity in 14 of 93 cases of nonpulmonary adenocarcinoma, to some extent limiting the utility of keratin 5/6 in the exclusion of metastases to the pleura.²¹¹ Another study reported 92% keratin 5/6 positivity in MM and 14% labeling in cases of MAC.²¹² Despite these drawbacks, keratin 5/6 does appear to be a helpful presumptive marker for mesothelioma when used in the proper fashion and the appropriate morphologic setting.

Figure 20-43 Immunoreactivity for keratin 5 in small cell mesothelioma.

In general, it has been noted that reagents against high-molecular-weight keratins will label most mesotheliomas and relatively few adenocarcinomas, whereas antibodies to low-molecular-weight keratins recognize both of those tumor groups.²¹³ Keratins 7, 8, 18, and 19 are present in all MMs and adenocarcinomas, whereas keratins 5, 6, 14, and 17 are found in some types of mesothelioma but are lacking in MACs.²¹³ The latter four proteins are absent in cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

Our approach to keratin testing in evaluating poorly differentiated malignancies is to use a broadly active mixture of monoclonal antibodies to such proteins. At present, we use a “cocktail” of commercial antibody reagents that targets all of the known keratin subtypes between keratins 1 and 20, mixed together in the same diluent and used with epitope-retrieval techniques.²¹⁴ The goal of this practice is to detect any keratin, rather than a specific one, because the pragmatic task in virtually all cases is the separation of epithelial from nonepithelial malignant neoplasms. With these remarks as a preface, the sensitivity of keratin “cocktail” staining for all forms of mesothelioma (including SMM) approximates 100% in our hands (Fig. 20-44).

Figure 20-44 Diffuse and strong immunolabeling is present for pankeratin in this sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

Epithelial Membrane Antigen

Studies dealing with anti–epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) have shown that it commonly yields positive results in both MACs and MMs.^215–217 Antibodies to EMA potentially label mesotheliomas of all histologic subtypes. It has been said that this protein generally shows a double-density (“tram track”) cell membranous pattern of staining in MMs (Fig. 20-45), whereas MAC cells demonstrate more delicate membrane labeling.²¹⁸ Other authors have found that reactive mesothelial hyperplasia is EMA-negative, in contrast with primary malignancies of the serosal surfaces.²¹⁹ However, both of those claims are open to question²²⁰; in practical usage, we have found that the reactivity patterns in question are not universally present as depicted in the literature.

Figure 20-45 “Thick” cell membrane labeling for epithelial membrane antigen in an effusion cytology specimen of epithelioid mesothelioma.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen

CEA has been considered by most observers to be one of the most reliable markers for distinguishing MM from adenocarcinoma.^{174,221–223} The vast majority of mesotheliomas lack CEA. Positivity for CEA has been reported in up to 5% of cases of MMs, but studies describing that phenomenon have generally used unabsorbed heteroantisera to CEA that undoubtedly recognized unrelated molecules. Monoclonal antibodies to specific CEA epitopes are more reliable in this context, although they are less sensitive for the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and, therefore, less helpful diagnostically. However, the use of anti-CEA reagents has no role in the diagnosis of sarcomatoid mesotheliomas, as mentioned earlier.

Thyroid Transcription Factor-1

Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) is a 38-kDa intranuclear polypeptide that is synthesized by a gene located on chromosome 14q13; it is also known as NKX2A protein. ^224,225 Among epithelial elements, this homeodomain-containing nuclear transcription factor is restricted to follicular and parafollicular thyroid cells, glandular and alveolar-lining cells of the lung, and anterior pituicytes. TTF-1–positive neoplasms are largely encompassed by those same tissues, with the addition of moderately and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of various organs and the omission of parathyroid and pituitary tumors.²²⁴ Approximately 75% to 85% of pulmonary adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas are labeled for TTF-1.^226,227 In contrast, mesotheliomas of all histologic types have been consistently nonreactive.²²⁸ It is important to require that nuclear labeling be regarded as the only true pattern of positivity for TTF-1.²²⁹

Napsin-A

Napsin-A is a cytoplasmic aspartic proteinase that plays a role in the synthesis of surfactant protein-B in the lungs. In normal tissues, it is expressed strongly in type 2 pneumocytes. Antibodies to napsin-A have been applied clinically only recently, and the overall number of mesotheliomas and adenocarcinomas studied thus far is relatively small. However, in one evaluation, 85% of pulmonary adenocarcinomas were napsin-A–reactive, compared with no cases of mesothelioma or colonic, pancreatic, or mammary carcinoma.²³⁰ Unexpectedly, napsin-A was also observed in clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), as well as in tall cell papillary thyroid carcinomas. It appears that this marker may best be used in the narrow differential diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma versus EMM.

CD15

CD15 has a high level of specificity for MACs,^{174,222,223,231–233} but some examples of MM have also shown focal labeling for this marker. This finding appears to be more common in peritoneal tumors than in pleural lesions.²³⁴ Like CEA, the use of CD15 is most appropriate in the evaluation of biphasic or epithelial mesotheliomas, because sarcomatoid tumors consistently lack it.

CA 72-4

CA 72-4, which is also known as tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (recognized by monoclonal antibody B72.3), is a generic epithelial determinant that is a high-molecular-weight cell membranous glycoprotein.^234–239 Regardless of their sites of origin, the majority of MACs show strong reactivity for this marker. Rare examples of MM may also show focal or weak labeling.²⁴⁰

Ber-Ep4

Ber-Ep4 is another epithelial marker that was initially thought to be specific for adenocarcinomas,^241,242 and it does indeed demonstrate a high level of sensitivity for these neoplasms as a generic group. Nevertheless, it is now known that approximately 15% of mesotheliomas can show focal staining with this antibody,^243,244 and it has no value in the evaluation of purely sarcomatoid tumors.

MOC-31

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