[Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) - a rare diagnosis].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare cancer, more common in men, with non-specific symptoms complicating diagnosis.
• While asbestos exposure is a known cause for some cases, the full etiology of DMPM remains under investigation.
• Historically, DMPM carried a poor prognosis with median overall survival (OS) of 4-13 months.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the improved survival outcomes for DMPM patients treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Main Methods:

• This case report details the application of CRS and HIPEC in managing DMPM.
• Cytoreductive surgery aims to remove all visible tumor implants.
• Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity.

Main Results:

• The implementation of CRS and HIPEC has dramatically improved the prognosis for DMPM.
• Median overall survival (OS) has increased to 30-92 months following this combined treatment approach.
• This aggressive treatment strategy offers a significant survival benefit compared to historical outcomes.

Conclusions:

• CRS and HIPEC represent a paradigm shift in the management of DMPM, transforming it from a fatal diagnosis to a manageable condition with improved survival.
• The successful application of CRS and HIPEC in this case underscores its efficacy in treating DMPM.
• Further research into DMPM etiology and treatment optimization is warranted.