Apart from malignant mesothelioma, other
epithelial and mesenchymal tumours may contain
desmoplastic areas and, in these, there is
good evidence to indicate that this is the
consequence of stimulation of stromal
myofibroblasts.27 28 Many cells within the desmoplastic
areas ofDMMare, however, positive
for cytokeratin, findings which are in accordance
with those of Cantin.' Malignant
mesothelial cells, in certain cases, seem to
assume the functional capacity of fibroblasts
and at least one study has shown that mesothelial
cells can produce collagen in tissue culture.2