Measurement of mesothelin in pleural fluid is best for the diagnosis and exclusion of mesothelioma than cytology, according to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Patients with mesothelioma have concentrations of mesothelin in pleural fluid from 7 to 12 times greater than patients with metastatic cancers or benign pleural effusions. Moreover, compared with cytology, pleural fluid mesothelin had better sensitivity, similar specificity and a greater negative predictive value.
Mesothelioma is a malignant attributed to asbestos exposure. The serum mesothelin is expressed by mesothelioma cells and released into the pleural fluid, making it more useful measurement pleuritic its measure serum.
These findings show that pleural fluid mesothelin is an invaluable aid to cytology in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions. It is reproducible and not influenced by inflammatory joint effusions.
Tags: concentrations of mesothelin, inflammatory joint effusions, Mesothelioma, pleural effusions, pleural fluid
