ABSTRACT
Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare cancer arising from the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. DMPM has a heterogeneous tumor biology with some patients surviving years and others succumbing within months of diagnosis. The initial presentation of patients with DMPM is typically nonspecific. The diagnosis of a patient with DMPM begins with a thorough history and physical examination that may demonstrate a protuberant abdomen with a fluid wave or palpable masses as mentioned earlier. The imaging modality most commonly employed for diagnosis is contrast-enhanced computed tomography as it is the most useful at detecting many of the subtle findings characteristic of DMPM. Upper and lower endoscopy should be included in the workup of any patient with peritoneal dissemination in whom the diagnosis of DMPM is questionable. Antibodies that stain positive in DMPM are cytokeratin 5/6, calretinin, and vimentin.
