Introduction:

Malignant mesothelioma is a neoplasm of the serous membranes whose most common variant affects the pleura, and its association with exposure to asbestos is amply evidenced.

In Portugal, the utilization/commercialization of asbestos and its related products was forbidden in the early 21st century. Despite this, to this day, asbestos still exist in many contexts, which in combination with its long latency period until presentation with the first signs of disease, has kept the study of this etiologic association and the natural history of the resulting illnesses relevant.

Case-study:

In this article we present the case of an eighty-year-old male, with known occupational pulmonary asbestosis, usually followed in Pneumology consultation, that developed early satiety and vomiting, in the context of a peritoneal mesothelioma.

Discussion/Conclusion:

We present a resumed revision on the clinical aspects of the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the patient’s previous professional history for an early diagnosis. In this aspect, we emphasize Occupational Health’s role, not only in the surveillance of exposed workers, but also in monitoring the workplaces, identifying and addressing risk situations, trying to minimize it as much as possible, under a salutogenic and preventive perspective.

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