Incidental localized (solitary) epithelial mesothelioma of the pericardium: Case report and literature review

Primary mesotheliomas of the pericardium are rare tumors. They may occur in diffuse, multiple, and localized forms. Most of the pericardial mesotheliomas are multiple or diffuse growths encasing the heart, localized forms being distinctly uncommon. We report a localized mesothelioma of the pericardium found incidentally at the autopsy of a 76-year-old woman. The neoplasm measured 3.6×2.4×2.5 cm., was well circumscribed, and affected the entire thickness of the myocardium extending from the epicardium to the endocardium of the anterior wall of the right ventricle. The tumor was epithelial in type, showed an immunohistochemical profile compatible with mesothelioma, and was DNA aneuploid. A review of the literature yielded four cases of localized pericardial mesothelioma, including the present. Most cases are seen in women and are of the epithelial variant. There is a wide age range at presentation. Localized mesotheliomas are capable of aggressive behavior. Nevertheless, in contrast to diffuse tumors, complete surgical excision may be curative. Differential diagnosis includes solitary fibrous tumor, synovial sarcoma, epithelioid angiosarcoma, and adenomatoid tumor of the pericardium.