Benign solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura: a clinical review and report of six cases

Primary tumours of the pleura are commonly divided into two major categories: diffuse and localised. Whereas the diffuse variant is known for its association with asbestos and its poor outcome, the localised one is rare and remains a subject of controversy. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry have recently demonstrated that these tumours are of mesenchymal rather than mesothelial origin, and therefore the term "localised mesothelioma" was abandoned. Such tumours are now called solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP). The Authors describe a series of 6 cases of benign solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura, surgically treated over the period 1982-2000.