Mesothelioma Diagnosis Biopsy and Pathology

Question 1

Which procedure is considered the gold standard for diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy

Answer

VATS biopsy provides large tissue samples under direct visualization and is the gold standard for diagnosing and staging pleural mesothelioma.

Question 2

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is essential in mesothelioma pathology primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Distinguish mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma

Answer

IHC panels are used to differentiate mesothelioma from metastatic adenocarcinoma, which can be morphologically identical on routine staining.

Question 3

Which IHC marker is characteristically positive in epithelioid mesothelioma?

Accepted Answer

Calretinin

Answer

Calretinin is a highly sensitive and specific positive marker for mesothelioma and is routinely included in diagnostic IHC panels.

Question 4

TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor-1) positivity in a pleural biopsy would support a diagnosis of:

Accepted Answer

Metastatic lung adenocarcinoma

Answer

TTF-1 is a marker of lung and thyroid epithelial origin; its positivity in pleural disease supports metastatic lung adenocarcinoma rather than mesothelioma.

Question 5

What is the minimum tissue requirement for a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis according to current guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Core biopsy with sufficient tissue for IHC

Answer

Current guidelines require a core biopsy with adequate tissue for histological assessment and immunohistochemical panel to confirm mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Practice Test

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Practice Test

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Biopsy and Pathology