Table 1 Questions used to query the literature and our own experience regarding the clinically relevant features of localized malignant mesothelioma

From: Localized malignant mesothelioma, an unusual and poorly characterized neoplasm of serosal origin: best current evidence from the literature and the International Mesothelioma Panel

–What is the incidence of localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Are the age and gender of patients with localized malignant mesothelioma significantly different than for patients with diffuse malignant mesothelioma?

–Do patients with localized malignant mesothelioma have a significant history of asbestos exposure that could have caused a diffuse malignant mesothelioma?

–Is the site distribution of localized malignant mesothelioma like that in diffuse malignant mesothelioma?

–Were the criteria to define a malignant mesothelioma as “localized” explicitly described in the cases reported in literature?

–Is there a minimum or maximum size cut-off that would exclude a diagnosis of localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Does the presence of a small number of lesions (e.g., 2 or 3 apparently well circumscribed nodules or a predominant mass accompanied by other smaller nodules) exclude the diagnosis of localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Does the presence of pleural effusion or other serosal effusion exclude the diagnosis of localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Does the presence of atypical cells in serosal effusion associated with a localized mass exclude the diagnosis of localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Are imaging studies sufficient for a diagnosis of mesothelioma as localized malignant mesothelioma or is thoracoscopy required to exclude the presence of additional small lesions in a patient with a localized mass?

–Are thoracoscopic biopsies of grossly unremarkable serosal surfaces away from the area of a localized mass necessary to diagnose a mesothelioma as localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Does the diagnosis of localized malignant mesothelioma require a minimum follow-up period to exclude the possibility of diffuse malignant mesothelioma?

–How were patients with localized malignant mesothelioma treated?

–What is the prognosis of patients with localized malignant mesothelioma?

–Is the prognosis of localized malignant mesothelioma patients similar to those with pT1 diffuse malignant mesothelioma?

–Is localized malignant mesothelioma a different tumor than diffuse mesothelioma or is it part of a continuum of malignant neoplasms of mesothelial origin?

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