RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a rare disease, with an incidence of 2.2 cases in 1. 000.000 in the USA. It occupies 10% of all mesotheliomas referred in literature. METHODS: We describe a case of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma arising in a 54-year-old woman who presented a small bowel occlusion. A middle line laparotomy was done; multiple biopsies and an ileostomy were performed. There was not a history of exposure to asbestos. Histologic diagnosis was based on light microscopy, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Patient had no further treatment because of her poor general conditions. She died 4 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Update of treatment is briefly described with particular attention to multimodality approach (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and other new therapeutic options (iperthermochemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy), currently in clinical trials.