Positron emission tomography helps in excluding distant lesions in a case of mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an uncommon neoplasm (2500 cases per year in the United States) of the pleura. Computed tomography (CT) is the primary modality for diagnosis and staging of MPM. Positron emission tomography (PET) is useful for staging of malignant mesothelioma, because it can provide information regarding extrathoracic spread and lymph node metastasis. PET imaging is helpful in selecting the most appropriate site for biopsy based on the metabolic activity. The intensity of FDG uptake can predict the prognosis of MPM. A case of malignant mesothelioma encasing the entire right lung is presented here.