Primary peritoneal cancer following initial surgical resection

Primary Peritoneal Cancer Following Initial Surgical Resection

Primary peritoneal cancer is an uncommon cancer of the lining of the abdomen. It is usually found incidentally, often during surgery for something else. While primary peritoneal cancer is often treated initially with surgery, it is not always curable. Some of these tumors can recur or spread even after complete resection.

Patients who have surgery for primary peritoneal cancer often need additional treatment beyond the initial surgical resection. The most common additional treatments include chemotherapy and radiation, and they are often used in combination. Chemotherapy could be the only additional treatment in some cases, but radiation may also be needed. The type of additional treatment needed varies depending on the type of primary peritoneal cancer, its stage, and the patient's overall health.

The goal of additional treatment is to reduce the risk of the primary peritoneal cancer coming back or spreading to other parts of the body. It may also be used in cases where the tumor is too large to be removed completely, or if there is a high risk that the cancer may spread. Additional treatment options may also be used even if the cancer appears to be completely removed if there is a high risk of it coming back.

Chemotherapy is the main additional treatment for primary peritoneal cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously (through a vein) and work by attacking and killing fast-growing cancer cells. Usually, several different chemotherapy drugs are given in cycles. Each cycle lasts for a few weeks and is followed by short breaks to give the body time to recover.

Radiation therapy may also be used if the primary peritoneal cancer has spread to other parts of the body or is at high risk of coming back. Radiation works by using high-energy X-rays or particles to damage or kill cancer cells. It is given over a period of weeks and is usually given in combination with chemotherapy.

When primary peritoneal cancer is suspected, surgery is usually recommended first. Surgical resection is the most effective way to remove the tumor. If the cancer appears to be completely removed, additional treatments may still be recommended depending on the type of primary peritoneal cancer, its stage, and the patient's overall health. The most common additional treatments include chemotherapy and radiation, and they are often used in combination.