Primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma and response to radiation therapy

We report a case of a primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma. A 59-year-old male presented with episodic chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large mass in the pericardium attached to the right ventricle. Partial resection of the mass was undertaken revealing malignant mesothelioma, byphasic type. The patient was treated with chemotherapy intermittently over a period of 3 years, but his disease continued to progress. The patient was then treated with definitive radiation therapy to 64 Gy to the primary tumor using a six field 3D conformal technique. The patient remains free of progressive disease 86 months from the time of diagnosis and 50 months from the completion of his radiotherapy.