Cystic peritoneal mesothelioma-very rare lesion but generally carrying a good prognosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21191708

Surg Today. 2011 Jan;41(1):141-6. Epub 2010 Dec 30.
Cystic peritoneal mesothelioma: Report of a case.
Cavallaro A, Berretta M, Lo Menzo E, Cavallaro V, Zanghì A, Di Vita M, Cappellani A.

Department of Surgery, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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.