Primary Peritoneal Tumors Treated by Cancer Doctors at Mercy
The renowned cancer doctors at Surgical Oncology at Mercy are recognized as leaders in treating rare and aggressive tumors in the abdomen, including primary peritoneal cancer. Our experts perform cytoreductive surgery in conjunction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) treating patients who have this highly aggressive cancer.
Your abdomen is lined with a thin layer of tissue called the peritoneum. Primary peritoneal cancer is a cancer that starts in the peritoneum.
Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer that shares similarities with ovarian cancer. Peritoneal cancer can occur anywhere within the abdomen and can also occur even when the ovaries have been removed.
What are risks of Peritoneal Cancer?
Women have a higher chance of being diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer than men. Women at risk for ovarian cancer are also at a higher risk for primary peritoneal cancer.
Symptoms of primary peritoneal cancer are similar to those of ovarian cancer and are hard to detect. Often when symptoms have clearly developed the cancer has progressed. Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormal bleeding
- Weight gain or loss
- Loss of appetite
Peritoneal cancer is typically diagnosed through physical (pelvic) exam combined with ultrasounds and blood tests.
Cytoreductive surgery used in conjunction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the first treatment option for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies.
Due to the complexity of the combined therapy of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, only a handful of surgeons are appropriately trained and experienced to offer this treatment method. Our surgical oncology team performs this procedure on a regular basis and offers a high level of expertise along with a specialized clinical team to patients facing a diagnosis of peritoneal cancer.