ABSTRACT
Localized fibrous tumors of the pleura (LFTP) are rare, usually benign neoplasms of the pleura. This tumor has received many names, including fibrous mesothelioma, benign mesothelioma, localized mesothelioma, subpleural fibroma, solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura, and LFTP, which reflect its clinical and pathological characteristics (1). Recently the term fibrous tumor of the pleura has been preferred as it emphasizes a distinct separation from malignant mesothelioma. In contradistinction to LFTP, malignant mesothelioma is causally related to asbestos exposure, is usually diffuse in gross appearance, is of mesothelial origin and stains for cytokeratin, and is rapidly fatal. LFTP is the preferred description of this tumor rather than SFTP because several reports have documented multiple LFTP within the same patient (2, 3).
