Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma presenting as intestinal obstruction.
Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) represents 90% of all peritoneal forms of mesothelioma. It affects mainly patients 50-69 years old. In 50% of cases there is a history of asbestos exposure. The clinical presentation of the disease is not characteristic: nonspecific abdominal pain, weight loss, and abdominal distension are common. Ascites occurs in 90% of the patients. Bowel obstruction is a late manifestation. We present three patients with DMPM, without a history of asbestos exposure and without ascites, who presented with complete bowel obstruction. All patients underwent emergency operations, and palliative surgical procedures were performed. Each patient died within 3 to 6 months postoperatively.
Griniatsos
John
J
Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, LAIKO Hospital, Athens, Greece. johngriniatsos@yahoo.com
Sougioultzis
Stavros
S
Dimitriou
Nikoletta
N
Vamvakopoulou
Vassilia
V
Alexandrou
Paris
P
Kyriakou
Vassiliki
V
Tzioufas
Athanassios
A
Papalambros
Efstathios
E
Tzivras
Michalis
M
D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery