An unexpected cause of dysphagia: pleural mesothelioma

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma usually originates from the pleura or peritoneum, and has a poor prognosis. The incidence of this type of tumor is increasing worldwide, which is probably a result of occupational or environmental exposure to asbestos. In 90% dyspnea, chest pain or a combination of both are usually the initial symptoms. Dysphagia only occurs in 1.4% and is very rare as the initial symptom. We present the case of a middle-aged patient, in whom the initial symptom was dysphagia, so an endoscopy was performed. This showed extrinsic compression of the esophagus that was demonstrated when performing the chest X-ray, in which it was revealed a posterior mediastinal mass surrounding the esophagus concentrically without mucosal invasion.