Subcutaneous tumor growth complicating the positioning of Denver shunt and intrapleural port-à-cath in mesothelioma patients.

Patients with malignant ascites and malignant pleural fluid from abdominal or pleural mesothelioma underwent the positioning of Denver type peritoneovenous shunt or intrapleural catheter. They developed tumor growth in the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the devices throughout their courses. Neoplastic seeding is a potential complication of the positioning of shunts and catheters in cavities filled with fluid rich in tumor cells.