Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)

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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 Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)?

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) is a rare, slow-growing abdominal condition where mucin-secreting tumor cells accumulate in the peritoneum, producing jelly-like mucus (pseudomyxoma) causing abdominal distension (“jelly belly”). It originates from perforated appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (90%), or rarely ovarian/colon tumors. Graded low (benign-like) or high (malignant). In 2025, ~1 in 1 million incidence, ~1,000 US cases, median age 50, equal gender.

Symptoms

Symptoms include gradual abdominal distension/bloating, pain, hernia, loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation/diarrhea, fatigue, and weight changes. Advanced causes bowel obstruction, urinary issues, or breathing difficulty. Symptoms mimic other abdominal conditions.

Causes

PMP arises from ruptured appendiceal tumors (low-grade mucinous neoplasm), releasing mucin/cells into peritoneum. Risk factors include appendicitis history or mucocele. Genetic mutations (KRAS, GNAS) in tumor cells. In 2025, microbiome role is explored.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses CT/MRI showing mucin/ascites, biopsy for mucinous cells, and tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9). Laparoscopy confirms. In 2025, AI imaging distinguishes from other ascites.

Treatment

Standard is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) to remove tumors/mucin, with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC, mitomycin/oxaliplatin) for peritoneal wash, achieving 80% 5-year survival in low-grade. Recurrent uses repeat CRS/HIPEC. In 2025, targeted therapies for KRAS are in trials.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 75% low-grade, 20% high-grade with CRS/HIPEC. Research on anti-mucin agents could improve to 85% by 2030.

Sources

The information is based on Cleveland Clinic’s “Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP): Symptoms & Treatment” for symptoms; NORD’s “Pseudomyxoma Peritonei – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment” for causes; Cancer.org.au’s “Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)” for symptoms; News-Medical’s “Symptoms and Causes of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)” for causes; PMC’s “Pseudomyxoma peritonei” for overview; Cancer Research UK’s “About pseudomyxoma peritonei” for understanding; Wikipedia’s “Pseudomyxoma peritonei” for symptoms; Porterhouse Medical’s “Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: A rare abdominal cancer” for rarity; Macmillan’s “Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)” for overview; PMC’s “Ovarian Causes of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)” for causes.