Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer

Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer

Peritoneal cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes in addition radiotherapy.


Some peritoneal cancers are small and single and can be removed completely during surgery. Chemotherapy is used to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiotherapy is useful in some cases.

Peritoneal cancer - Life Expectancy

The prognosis of most peritoneal cancers is not good. However, a new treatment has improved the life expectancy and survival of patients to some extent. This procedure is called Cytoreductive surgery followed by Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

During cytoreductive surgery, only obvious cancer areas and diseased peritoneum are removed. This is followed by Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. In this procedure, preheated anticancer drugs are injected directly into the peritoneal cavity. Thus a high concentration of the drugs is achieved at the cancer site and side effects are reduced. The raised temperature destroys cancer cells and at the same time increases the effect of the chemotherapy drugs. However, some deaths have occurred during this treatment and it is important to chose patients carefully.

Drugs such as interleukins and interferons also help to improve patient survival. Patients at very late stages need painkillers and regular removal of excess fluid accumulated in the peritoneum to make them feel more comfortable.

Reference

1. Levy A, Arnaiz J, Shaw JC, Sobin LH. Primary Peritoneal Tumors: Imaging Features with Pathologic Correlation RadioGraphics 2008; 28:583�607
2. Bridda A, Padoan I, Mencarelli R, Frego M. Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Review. MedGenMed. 2007; 9(2): 32.
3. Levy AD, Shaw JC, Sobin LH. Secondary Tumors and Tumor like Lesions of the Peritoneal Cavity: Imaging Features with Pathologic Correlation. RadioGraphics 2009; 29:347�373
4. Jeong YJ, Kim S, Kwak SW, Lee NK, Lee JW, Kim K, Choi KU, Jeon TY. Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Conditions of Serosal Membrane Origin: CT Findings. RadioGraphics 2008; 28:801�818
5. Chua TC, Yan TD, Morris D. Peritoneal mesothelioma: current understanding and management. Can J Surg 2009; 52 (1): 59-64

Cite this Article ⇣⇡

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

• APA

  Dr. Simi Paknikar. (2016, March 03). Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer. Medindia. Retrieved on Jan 28, 2025 from https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/peritoneal-cancer-treatment.htm.

• MLA

  Dr. Simi Paknikar. "Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer". Medindia. Jan 28, 2025. <https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/peritoneal-cancer-treatment.htm>.

• Chicago

  Dr. Simi Paknikar. "Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/peritoneal-cancer-treatment.htm. (accessed Jan 28, 2025).

• Harvard

  Dr. Simi Paknikar. 2016. Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer. Medindia, viewed Jan 28, 2025, https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/peritoneal-cancer-treatment.htm.