What question did this study set out to answer?

This case report examines the relationship between a germline CHEK2 variant and mesothelioma in an adolescent.

February 22, 2026

Adolescent epithelioid mesothelioma and germline CHEK2 pathological variant: case report

Key Points

This case report examines the relationship between a germline CHEK2 variant and mesothelioma in an adolescent.
Case report of an adolescent diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma.
Analysis of germline variants, focusing on CHEK2 and known associations with cancer predisposition.
Comparison with other known genetic factors, such as BAP1.
Review of literature regarding mesothelioma and genetic susceptibility.
Identified a germline CHEK2 pathological variant in an adolescent with epithelioid mesothelioma.
Highlighted the rarity of malignant mesothelioma in adolescents and the need for genetic screening.
Concluded that germline variants may contribute to mesothelioma susceptibility in young patients.

Abstract

Background: Adolescent malignant mesothelioma is extremely rare. 1 In a minority of patients, germline pathogenic variants (PVs) increase susceptibility to asbestos and/or the development of mesothelioma, most notably BAP1. 2 CHEK2 encodes the DNA repair related tumour suppressor CHK2, and germline PVs in CHEK2 are associated with breast and colorectal cancer predisposition, but not mesothelioma. 2,3

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Cite This Study

Spann et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699a534bfdaf4e3c1268ef13 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathol.2026.01.129

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