Benign fibrous mesothelioma successfully treated by thoracoscope-assisted surgery: report of a case

We report herein the case of an 84-year-old man in whom a benign fibrous mesothelioma (BFM) was successfully treated by thoracoscope-assisted surgery. In September 1996, the patient underwent a sigmoidectomy for colon cancer, soon after which a followup examination disclosed a coin lesion on his chest X-ray film. The patient was readmitted to our hospital in November 1996 for further investigation of this tumor. A chest computed tomography scan revealed a 3.5 x 3.0 cm homogeneous tumor arising from the pleura. A needle biopsy was performed under ultrasonographic guidance, and the specimen was histopathologically diagnosed as a BFM. In view of his poor respiratory function, the tumor was excised by thoracoscope-assisted surgery. This case report serves to demonstrate the benefits of thoracoscope-assisted surgery for such patients.