Mesothelioma Diagnosis Biomarkers and Lab Tests 2

Question 1

Which laboratory finding in pleural fluid analysis is characteristic of a malignant exudative effusion?

Accepted Answer

High LDH and high protein

Answer

Malignant pleural effusions are exudates characterized by high LDH (>200 IU/L) and high protein (>3 g/dL) using Light's criteria.

Question 2

Which complete blood count (CBC) finding is associated with advanced mesothelioma and poor prognosis?

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytosis

Answer

Paraneoplastic thrombocytosis (elevated platelet count) is common in advanced mesothelioma and is associated with poor survival outcomes.

Question 3

What does an elevated serum CRP (C-reactive protein) indicate in the context of mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Active systemic inflammation associated with worse prognosis

Answer

Elevated CRP reflects tumor-driven systemic inflammation in mesothelioma and is an independent predictor of poor prognosis.

Question 4

Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) levels are elevated in pleural fluid of mesothelioma patients. This is because:

Accepted Answer

Mesothelioma cells produce large amounts of hyaluronan

Answer

Malignant mesothelial cells actively secrete hyaluronan into pleural fluid, and markedly elevated levels support a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Question 5

Which germline mutation significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

BAP1 mutation

Answer

Germline BAP1 mutations define the BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome, which markedly increases the risk of mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, and other cancers.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Practice Test

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Practice Test

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Biomarkers and Lab Tests 2