title: Cystic peritoneal mesothelioma: report of a case.
abstract: Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM) is a rare disease with good short-term prognosis and rare malignant transformation. However, its biological significance remains unexplained. A neoplastic origin is considered by many authors to require a surgical excision, based on the high recurrence and progressive growth rate of the tumors. However, alternative or integrative treatment options have also been proposed. A 45-year-old woman presented to our unit with a history of occasional discomfort and pain in the left hip. On physical examination, we noticed a tough-elastic, fixed mass located in the iliac fossa. Computed tomography scan detected a mass with multiseptated cystic-like areas. Due to the similarity of these findings to a primitive sarcomatous tumor of the retroperitoneum, an arteriographic study was also performed. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the mass, including a segment of the sigmoid colon. The final pathologic diagnosis was cystic mesothelioma. Further studies are needed to better understand the etiology and pathogenesis of this rare disease, and to define a more tailored treatment plan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lo Menzo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zanghì
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Vita
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cappellani
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018261:Mesothelioma, Cystic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*