Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma associated with deep vein thrombosis following radiotherapy for seminoma of the testis

A 52-year-old man developed malignant peritoneal mesothelioma 17 years afte r radiotherapy for seminoma of the testis. Although asbestos exposure is co nsidered to be the major risk factor for the development of malignant mesot helioma, prior therapeutic radiation has also been postulated as a causativ e factor. The unexplained appearance of ascites or pleural effusion within a previously irradiated area should be considered suggestive of malignant m esothelioma in any long-term survivor of cancer, In addition, the patient s uffered a deep vein thrombosis four years before the diagnosis of mesotheli oma, Deep vein thrombosis is a common complication of malignant disease, an d is often the first clue to occult malignancy.