In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer resulting in a live birth in a woman with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma: A case report

Our plain-English summary of In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer resulting in a live birth in a woman with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma: A case report, by K. Kotani, E. Nishio, S. Oikawa, et al (Fujita Medical Journal, 2025).

The study

• Authors: K. Kotani, E. Nishio, S. Oikawa, M. Ishikawa, E. Sakakibara, A. Kobayashi, H. Miyamura, H. Nishizawa
• Journal: Fujita Medical Journal
• Published: 2025;11(4):190-192
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

Abstract

We here present what we believe to be the first documented successful pregnancy and live birth following in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer in a patient with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM). BMPM, a rare peritoneal disease, predominantly affects women of reproductive age. This condition is thought to result from peritoneal irritation, which may be exacerbated by invasive procedures such as oocyte retrieval during IVF. In this report, we present data on a 28-year-old woman who was diagnosed with BMPM by laparoscopic biopsy performed to investigate abdominal pain. Follow-up imaging during and after the pregnancy showed no progression of the cysts. The patient gave birth to a 3130-g baby by vaginal delivery at 40 weeks gestation. An MRI was performed one month after delivery; the findings resembled those of previous MRIs, except for the presence of multiple cysts in the omentum. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no published reports of infertility treatments, pregnancy, or childbirth in women with BMPM. Thus, careful follow-up, including regular MRI scans, is required.

In plain English

This case report from Japan described one 28-year-old woman with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM), a rare non-cancerous condition of the abdominal lining. She became pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. She had not conceived after four rounds of artificial insemination and then sought emergency care for abdominal pain. Diagnostic laparoscopy and tissue examination found multiple benign mesothelial cysts in the omentum. Tests ruled out tuberculosis and lymphangioma. The lesions could not be fully removed, so she was followed with MRI. An MRI at 28 weeks of pregnancy showed no increase in cyst size. She gave birth vaginally at 40 weeks to a 3130-g baby. An MRI one month after delivery showed multiple cysts like earlier scans; the text calls omental cysts an exception, but the figure captions show them on the first MRI too. The authors stated that there is no evidence to date that IVF, pregnancy or childbirth promote progression of BMPM lesions, but that caution is warranted. They concluded that careful follow-up, including regular MRI scans, is required. The article does not mention asbestos.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: case report (single patient)
• Who was studied: One 28-year-old nulliparous woman in Japan with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma, treated at Fujita Health University Hospital, who had failed to conceive after four rounds of artificial insemination
• Exposure: No asbestos or fiber exposure is mentioned. The exposure of interest was infertility treatment: IVF and embryo transfer, including oocyte retrieval by needle puncture of the ovaries through the vagina.
• Main results:
  • Before IVF, the patient had failed to conceive during four rounds of artificial insemination
  • Tissue removed from the omentum during diagnostic laparoscopy showed multiple benign mesothelial cysts
  • A negative T-SPOT test ruled out tuberculosis
  • Immunohistochemistry was negative for D2-40, which the authors said excluded lymphangioma
  • The lesions could not be completely removed, and the patient was followed with MRI
  • After IVF and embryo transfer, an MRI at 28 weeks of pregnancy showed no increase in cyst size
  • The patient delivered a 3130-g baby vaginally at 40 weeks of gestation
  • The figure caption describes the MRI one month after delivery as showing multiple cysts, as in previous MRIs. The main text says the findings were similar to previous examinations except for multiple cysts in the omentum, although the caption for the first MRI also shows omental cysts.
• The authors' conclusion: The authors stated that there is no evidence to date that IVF, pregnancy or childbirth promote progression of BMPM lesions, but that caution is warranted. Because no reports of infertility treatment, pregnancy or childbirth in women with BMPM have been published, they concluded that careful follow-up, including regular MRI scans, is required.

Topics

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Biopsy, Omentum.

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• Benign multicystic mesothelioma and peritoneal inclusion cysts: are they the same clinical and histopathological entities? A systematic review to find an evidence-based management — A.M.C. Rapisarda, A. Cianci, et al. (2018)
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