Case of Malignant Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum and Pleura / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare aggressive tumor and arises from mesothelial cells in the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Median survival is -1 year and the incidence is approximately 0.7 per million persons, and is increasing annually in Korea. It is difficult to diagnose malignant mesothelioma because of nonspecific symptoms, signs and laboratory findings. It needs to be confirmed by histological examination and immunohistochemistry. There is no case report of malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum and pleura in Korea. We report a rare case of malignant mesothelioma with simultaneous involvement of the peritoneum and pleura in a 75-year-old man without evidence of asbestos exposure.