title: Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma Resulting in Small Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare malignancy that affects the serosal surfaces of the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the second most common site of mesothelium affected following the pleura. The aggressive nature and vague presentation pose many obstacles in not only diagnosis but also the treatment of patients with this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of a 76-year-old woman who presented with small bowel obstruction secondary to carcinomatosis secondary to primary peritoneal mesothelioma. The patient had multiple risk factors with asbestos exposure and prior therapeutic radiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We discuss the highly varied and elusive presentation of peritoneal mesothelioma. Cumulative asbestos exposure, either directly or indirectly, remains the leading cause of mesothelioma. However, there are other non-asbestos etiologies. Small bowel obstruction often is a late-presenting symptom of widespread tumor burden. A concise review of the current diagnostic and surgical treatment of primary peritoneal mesothelioma demonstrates that early diagnosis and implementation remains vital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: S Christopher N
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Frontario
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loveitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldenberg-Sandau
authors.affiliation: Department of Patholoy, Kennedy University Hospital, Cherry Hill, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Patholoy, Kennedy University Hospital, Cherry Hill, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Darshan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kennedy University Hospital, Cherry Hill, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Larry W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography