Cytology of mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis metastatic to the lung.

The case of a 63-year-old man with malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis confirmed by electron microscopy is presented. The tumor recurred in the scrotal skin and subsequently metastasized to the inguinal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Four and a half years after the original diagnosis, pulmonary metastases were discovered by cytologic examination of bronchial washings and confirmed by transbronchial lung biopsy. The cytologic features of the metastatic malignant mesothelial cells are described and compared to those of mesothelioma cells in body cavity fluids. The role of cytology in the early detection of such tumors is discussed.