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Malignant mesothelioma: A metastasis to the face
Author(s) -
Edstrom Lee E.,
Dawson Peter J.,
Kohler John,
Demeester Thomas R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930140310
Subject(s) - medicine , mesothelioma , asbestos , metastasis , disease , sarcoma , pleural disease , distant metastasis , respiratory disease , pathology , cancer , lung , materials science , metallurgy
Malignant mesothelioma can be a confusing disease, resembling either carcinoma or sarcoma. Although it usually causes death rapidly by local and regional spread, distant metastases may be seen more frequently as more effective therapy controls local disease and prolongs life. Our patient's local and then regional mesothelioma was controlled by aggressive treatment, which allowed him nearly two years of productive life before a metastasis to the right infraorbital region occurred. He died shortly there‐after with widespread metastases. This is the first reported case of mesothelioma metastatic to the face. This case also emphasizes the association of malignant mesothelioma with asbestos exposure, and points out advances in pathologic techniques that aid in the diagnosis of the disease.