[A case of localized pleural mesothelioma].

Localized pleural mesothelioma is reported. A 62-year-old male had been observed as a patient with old tuberculosis of the left lung for a few decades. For detailed examination of fever of unknown cause and abnormal shadow on the chest X-ray, the patient was introduced to our hospital. By percutaneous cytodiagnosis, the illness was diagnosed as pleural mesothelioma, and the patient underwent surgery. Since adhesion of the tumor to the lower lobe of the lung was extremely tight, the tumor and the left lower lobe were resected as a mass. The tumor was about 15 cm in diameter, weighed 1,300 g and a slight pleural effusion was observed. The tumor was diagnosed as malignant localized pleural mesothelioma pathologically. Localized pleural mesothelioma should be subjected to surgery in the early stage, in principle. Even in cases difficult to diagnose, operation should not be delayed by repeating easy-going needle-biopsy or a long-term treatment with antitubercular drugs. The postoperative course of this case has been good, and no recurrence nor metastasis has been detected.