Primary Peritoneal Cancer – Symptoms, Treatment, and General Information

Any form of cancer can be a shocking development in a person’s life and health. The finding of cancerous cells within a person’s body is a very traumatic and stressful event that is never taken lightly. People who are diagnosed with cancer experience a roller coaster of emotions such as disbelief, shock, anger, and fear. These emotions may become overwhelming and seem hard to control, but taking different coping measures will assist anyone to pull together the strength to get better. The type of cancer known as primary peritoneal cancer is no exception. Primary peritoneal cancer, also referred to as PPC is a form of cancer that begins in the lining of the stomach. This rare form of cancer forms in the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the lining of the abdomen, which bonds between the liver, stomach, and intestines. The membrane which PPC forms on helps to protect the abdomen's contents. This membrane also produces a lubricant that helps organs transition inside of the abdomen when a person moves. Primary peritoneal cancer typically forms in the pelvic area of the abdomen. Studies have shown that up to twenty percent of patients who have been previously diagnosed with ovarian cancer could possibly be diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer instead.

The cause of PPC, like any other type of cancer, is relatively unknown. This is a form of cancer that is most common in older women, although very rarely it is known to occur in men. Some symptoms of primary peritoneal cancer are swelling and pain in the lower abdomen, change in bowel habits, unexplained weight gain, loss of appetite, and vague indigestion with nausea and bloating.

A test will generally be ordered once a doctor orders a blood test and a chest x-ray to check a person’s health. Any irregularities will result in further testing. This form of cancer can be detected with an ultrasound scan, a vaginal ultrasound, a pelvic ultrasound, a CT scan, abdominal fluid aspiration, MRI scan, laparoscopy, or laparotomy.

This cancer has only two stages; either stage three or stage four. Stage three represents the cancer being present in the lining of the abdomen. Stage three is a more controllable stage of cancer, which allows a patient to seek treatment for their cancer. Stage four is the more serious stage of cancer which represents that the cancer has spread into the liver, lungs, or lymph nodes in the neck. This can sometimes result in the inability to treat the cancer because performing surgery may remove too many parts of important organs and a patient’s body may not be able to maintain their strength through chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

There are a few different ways to treat primary peritoneal cancer. These treatment options are radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery. Radiotherapy is performed using high-energy rays which are aimed at cancer cells and destroy them, while leaving normal cells unharmed. Chemotherapy is performed by using anti-cancer drugs to destroy these cancer cells and prevent further growth of them. This is often given after surgery and continued to reduce tumor sizes for easier removal.

Cancer can be a devastation discovery in an individual’s life. This, however, should not cause you to give up living. Maintaining a positive attitude and seeking treatment are a lifestyle choice you can make in order to continue living a longer life.

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