Peritoneal mesothelioma: an inusual clinical presentation in a patient without exposure to asbestos
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007.
Anales De Medicina Interna. 2007 Feb;24(2):81-3. [Link]
Ponce Lorenzo J, Giménez Ortiz A, Aparisi Aparisi F, Fleitas Kanonnikoff T, Montalar Salcedo J.
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia. joseponcelorenzo@hotmail.com
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is an insidious neoplasm arising from the mesotelial surfaces, of the pleural and peritoneal cavities, the tunica vaginalis, or the pericardium. The predominant cause is inhalation exposure to asbestos.We present a rare case of primary malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum in a 64 year old man without history of inhalation exposure to asbestos. The initial symptoms were constitutional syndrome and right pleural effusion. Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/TC) was useful for a supporting diagnosis and to determine the extension. The patient received treatment with systemic palliative chemotherapy, cisplatin-pemetrexed. After three cycles, partial response was observed, but the evolution was fatal due to secondary toxicity of chemotherapy.
