Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), a very uncommon pleural tumor, was diagnosed in a 61-year-old man with work-related exposure to asbestos. Serohemorrhagic pleural effusion was diagnosed in the work-up of this patient, whose complaints were chest pain and weight loss. A lymphocytic predominance was present in the effusion, but no malignant cells were seen; pleural needle biopsy disclosed only a non-specific inflammatory process. Video thoracoscopy revealed nodules in parietal and visceral pleurae. A biopsy revealed a mesenchymal neoplasm; vascular markers CD 31, CD 34 and VIII factor were present; therefore, diagnosis of HE was accepted. The tumor was not responsive to cisplatin or etoposide and the patient died 3 months after the diagnosis.
Hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid; Pleural neoplasm; Asbestos; Pleural effusion; Mesothelioma
