“Endothelioma” of the Pleura

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Perhaps as much because of the confusing character of the clinical phenomena, as of the rather striking appearances revealed after death, supposed primary malignant tumors of the pleurae have consistently appealed to medical writers as worthy of study and report. Further stimulus to investigation of this somewhat peculiar group has been furnished by the clearly apparent wide diversity of concepts as to derivation, or genetic significance, of these tumors. Rarely have the students of any other subject in medical science propounded such a bewildering array of contradictory theories, often without due allowance either for the limits of our knowledge or for the demands of good logic. Hence it must be granted that, while discussion of this subject may have certain practical applications, by far the more important considerations are wholly theoretical. So widely related, however, are these theoretical relationships, and so fundamentally important are the conclusions which may be reached, that any review which attempts to clarify or harmonize these conclusions has full justification for the effort. It is quite true that such efforts usually result in the formation of a new group, or a new classification, and an already involved nomenclature is only further obscured. The less hesitation therefore accompanies this presentation of my study, because not only is no new name proposed, but, for reasons which seem sufficient, I am strongly suggesting dropping from the list of tumors a term which has never given any real service nor ever been satisfactorily employed. I hope, then, that the conceptions with regard to certain classifications of tumors may be simplified, not complicated, and that the necessary empiricism of earlier years may be more completely clarified by such generalizations as appear justifiable.