Primary peritoneal cancer is perhaps the most rare type of cancer in existence and is often referred to as Carcinoma. It affects the membrane lining abdomen by adhering to it and covering all the organs in the abdomen (for example the intestines, the liver and the stomach). This then results in the generation of a fluid that promotes soft movement of organs inside the abdomen itself.
Spread of Peritoneal Cancer
Peritoneal cancer is sometimes confused with intestinal cancer but the main difference is that peritoneal cancer begins in the peritoneum, while intestinal cancer extends to the peritoneum – hence its name peritoneal cancer. Peritoneal cancer is widespread in women especially and women at risk of ovarian cancer have a high chance of suffering from peritoneal cancer. Older- aged women are not immune to it either unfortunately.
Signs
Primary peritoneal cancer is very hard to identify in its premature phase, for the simple reason that its signs are somewhat indistinct and are not easily identifiable. By the time the signs are clearly visible , the cancer has already progressed to an advanced stage. Signs of primary peritoneal cancer can include queasiness or diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite, abrupt weight loss/gain and strange vaginal bleeding amongst others.
Diagnosis
The physician revises your medical history and carries out a physical exam that entails searching for anything unusual in the vagina, bladder, uterus, fallopian tubes, rectum or ovaries. The check may include ultrasound and a CA-125 blood sample test as well. An X-ray providing comprehensive pictures of the inner body is taken via a CT scan and lower GI series tests show up the tumours and any other irregularities.
A biopsy is taken, which involves removing tissue through laparotomy and this may lead to removal of organ(s) if the doctor perceives any sign of cancer. Where surgery is impossible, an assessment fluid is employed to ascertain where the pattern of tumours indicate the presence of cancer.
Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer
The treatment of primary peritoneal cancer heavily depends on three factors which are, the extent and area of the cancer, phase and rating and lastly the age and general health status of the patient. Consequently the factors affecting treatment of the cancer may include:
Surgery – surgery aids considerably in the diagnosis and eliminates tumours as the surgeon proceeds to get rid of all evident disease. This may lead to removal of tissues and/or organs, depending on what is discovered.
Chemotherapy – This is the administration of drugs, either directly or indirectly. This is the most intricate sequence of the treatment schedule. Drugs may be administered via injection for 2 – 3 weeks on a outpatient basis. Also drugs can be administered directly into the abdomen via a catheter.
After diagnosis, it is recommended that all cancer be removed as soon as possible by a surgeon. Doctors closely monitor the patient after treatment due to the speed at which this cancer can indeed spread. The re-appearance of primary peritoneal cancer is common even after treatment because it has already been diagnosed at an advanced stage.
