Primary Peritoneal Cancer

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Primary Peritoneal Cancer?

Primary Peritoneal Cancer (PPC) is a rare malignancy arising in the peritoneum (abdominal/pelvic lining), similar to ovarian cancer in histology (serous carcinoma) and behavior, often grouped with ovarian/fallopian tube cancers. It spreads intraperitoneally, producing ascites. In 2025, ~7,000-8,000 US cases (often misdiagnosed as ovarian), affecting women post-menopause (median age 60).

Symptoms

Symptoms include abdominal bloating/distension, pain, early satiety, indigestion, nausea, constipation, urinary frequency, vaginal bleeding, and weight loss/gain from ascites. Advanced causes shortness of breath (pleural effusion). Symptoms mimic ovarian cancer or IBS.

Causes

Causes involve genetic mutations (BRCA1/2 in 10-15%, TP53), with risk factors like age, nulliparity, endometriosis, and family history of breast/ovarian cancer. No strong lifestyle links, but hormone therapy may increase risk. In 2025, peritoneal mesothelial cell transformation is key.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses CA-125 blood test (elevated), imaging (CT, MRI showing omental caking/ascites), and laparoscopy/biopsy for confirmation. In 2025, ctDNA liquid biopsies aid early detection.

Treatment

Treatment mirrors ovarian: cytoreductive surgery + HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy), systemic chemotherapy (carboplatin + paclitaxel), and targeted therapy (PARP inhibitors for BRCA+). In 2025, immunotherapy trials show 20% response.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 25-40% with optimal debulking. PARP inhibitors extend to 3 years in BRCA+. By 2030, vaccines and AI could improve to 50%.

Sources

The information is based on Cleveland Clinic’s “Primary Peritoneal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment” for overview; MD Anderson’s “Peritoneal cancer: 8 questions, answered” for symptoms; WebMD’s “Primary Peritoneal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment” for diagnosis; Mayo Clinic’s “Peritoneal carcinomatosis – Symptoms and causes” for causes; Cleveland Clinic’s “Get Peritoneal Cancer Treatment” for treatment; Yale Medicine’s “Peritoneal Cancer” for symptoms; Macmillan’s “Primary peritoneal cancer” for overview; UCSF Health’s “Peritoneal Cancer | Conditions” for symptoms; MedicalNewsToday’s “Primary peritoneal cancer (PPC)” for outlook.