Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Learn more about peritoneal carcinomatosis and how it is treated.

Overview

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a type of cancer that occurs in the peritoneum.

The peritoneum is a thin membrane that covers most abdominal organs and lines the abdominal cavity.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is most often a result of other cancers, such as appendix cancer or stomach cancer spreading and causing new tumours to grow on the peritoneum. In very rare cases, peritoneal carcinomatosis starts in the peritoneum.

Our care

Learn more about the specialized care provided at Mount Sinai Hospital for peritoneal surface malignancy cancers.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Symptoms

Symptoms of peritoneal carcinomatosis include any of the following:

Bloating
Nausea
Weight changes
Constipation
Swollen ankles

Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer, as they are also common symptoms of other conditions.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of peritoneal carcinomatosis, there are several used to make a diagnosis.

Computed tomography (CT) scan

A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body using X-rays from different angles. A computer combines these images into a cross-sectional picture that makes it easier to see if there are any abnormalities or tumours.

CT scan images provide more detailed information than regular X-rays.

Biopsy

If your CT scan suggests that cancer is present, a biopsy is needed to make a definite diagnosis.

During a biopsy, a physician removes a small amount of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope and analyzed by a pathologist.

A pathologist is a physician who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease.

Treatment

Your care team will work with you to create the best personalized care plan based on your specific needs. Treatments may include any of the following.

Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy is an operation where small incisions are made in the abdomen and a camera is inserted to look inside to assess the amount of disease.

Systemic chemotherapy

This type of chemotherapy gets into the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body.

This can be done using an intravenous (IV) tube, which is a tube placed into a vein using a needle, or in a pill that you swallow.

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is a very specialized surgical technique that is used to treat some cases of cancer. Typically, the surgeon will try to remove as much of the tumour as possible and then insert a tube into the abdomen through which chemotherapy can be given. The chemotherapy fluid is warmed up to increase its ability to penetrate tissue and kill remaining cancer cells. Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the few hospitals that offer this treatment in Canada.