Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is generally divided into 3 basic histologic types--epithelial, biphasic, or sarcomatous. However, a great diversity of histologic patterns exists within these 3 basic histologic types.
The diverse histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma are briefly described, including infrequently encountered patterns.
The histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma provide a wide variation of features for the pathologist to consider in the differential diagnosis of a pleural biopsy.
Pathologists should be aware of the varied histologic patterns of diffuse malignant mesothelioma when evaluating pleural biopsies.