A Case of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Presenting with Recurrent and Massive Pleural Effusion as the Main Manifestation

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, malignant tumor with a dismal prognosis, often presenting with insidious and nonspecific symptoms that complicate clinical diagnosis. We report a case of a patient who experienced repeatedly massive pleural effusion over a five-year period, ultimately diagnosed via thoracoscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. We compiled the clinical data and performed a literature review to summarize the characteristics of such patients, aiming to improve clinical awareness and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.