Peritoneal Cancer

Signs, Symptoms, And Treatment Used To Treat Patients Suffering From Peritoneal Cancer.

Peritoneal cancer, sometimes referred to as carcinoma, is a cancer of the cells that line that abdominal cavity. This type of cancer is very rare, and is sometimes misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer. In fact, it is estimated that at least 15 percent of those originally diagnosed with ovarian cancer actually suffer from peritoneal cancer. Although there is no known cause of peritoneal cancer, this disease occurs most often in middle-aged women. It is very rare for men or very young people to develop this cancer. Often, the symptoms of peritoneal cancer do not present themselves until the cancer is fairly progressed. These symptoms can include frequent urination, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, lack of appetite, unusual vaginal bleeding, and pain in the lower abdomen. Patients who are experiencing a combination of any of these symptoms are encouraged to visit their health provider so that they can be tested for peritoneal cancer.

There are a multitude of tests that can be performed to check for peritoneal cancer, including a pelvic exam, ultrasound, laparoscopy, and a CT scan, among others. A patient's doctor may use one or all of these tests to determine if cancer is present. After a person has been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer, treatment will begin. The type of treatment will depend on the stage that the cancer is in. The first step is to surgically remove the cancerous tumor and any affected organs. Such organs could include the liver, uterus, ovaries, and lungs. After the affected areas have been removed, chemotherapy will begin.

Chemotherapy works by killing any remaining cancer cells. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used before the cancer is removed to shrink the cancerous tumor to make for easier removal. If the cancer has spread throughout the body and there is no chance of the patient recovering, the patient's doctor will recommend palliative care. This means that medicine will be administered to manage the pain, and the fluid that builds up in the abdominal cavity will be periodically drained. These all work together to help keep the patient as comfortable as possible.