Objective: To explore the methods for diagnosis and treatment of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
Methods: The clinical features, results of laboratory tests and treatment of 16 cases were studied retrospectively.
Results: Three cases were diagnosed before operation, 10 underwent laporatomy, 1 emergency operation and 2 received laparoscopic operation. In the 12 patients who were followed up, 1 survived for more than 2 years, and 2 patients still receiving treatment had survived for more than 1 year after operation.
Conclusions: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma does not present typical symptoms and the diagnosis is usually difficult, which depends on examinations of the exfoliative cell, abdominal paracentesis, laparoscopic probing and laporatomy. The prognosis is often unfavorable. Comprehensive therapies might prolong the survival of the patients.