Malignant Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum

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Abstract
Dyspnea and edema of the lower extremities necessitated hospitalization of a 77-year-old obese woman with a history of heart disease. Examination revealed an effusion in the right pleural cavity, and repeated thoracenteses had to be carried out. In addition to the pleural effusion there was progressive distention of the abdomen, the general condition of the patient deteriorated, and she died. Postmortem examination disclosed no ascitic fluid in the abdomen, but many polypoid tumor masses. The final anatomic diagnosis was diffuse tubular mesothelioma of the peritoneum, with metastases to liver and right lung. The presence of an effusion in the chest and its absence in the abdomen in this case are significant, and the predominance of cardiorespiratory over abdominal symptoms illustrates the unusual biological behavior of this type of neoplasm.

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