Abstract
A 78-year-old man presented with body weight loss and anemia was found having a 10.5×5.7 cm, heterogeneously enhanced tumor in the right upper quadrant of abdomen by an abdominal CT scan performed for close exploration. Gastric endoscopy showed no abnormalities on the mucosa surface except a feature suggestive of an extramural pressure. Extramurally growing gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach was the most likely diagnosis, and laparotomy was performed. The tumor was found not to originate from the stomach and not to invade the surrounding organs. Finally firm adhesions with the anterior surface of the pancreas were identified, but the adhesions could be dissected. The removed tumor had smooth surface and had grown expansively. The histopathological diagnosis was localized malignant mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare entity. Of malignant mesotheliomas, the diffuse type has been reported to predominantly outnumber the localized type like our case. However, postoperative recurrence rate is extremely high even in the resected cases and no effective chemotherapy has been established as yet. Strict follow up would be mandatory.
