Know Your Disease
Peritoneal Cancer
Overview
Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer. It develops into a thin sheet of tissue lining the abdomen. It also covers the bladder, uterus, and rectum. This structure, made up of epithelial cells, is called the peritoneum. It produces a fluid that helps the internal organs to move easily.
Peritoneal cancer is not the same as bowel or stomach cancer. Nor is it to be confused with metastasized cancer in the peritoneum. According to the cancer specialist in Kolkata, peritoneal cancer begins in the peritoneum and is therefore called primary peritoneal cancer.
Symptoms
Its symptoms are vague and difficult to point out. When obvious symptoms occur, the disease always progresses. Then, the symptoms are similar to ovarian cancer. Many of these symptoms are due to the formation of fluid (germs) in the stomach. Symptoms of peritoneal cancer, as listed by the best cancer surgeon in Kolkata, include:
- Abdominal discomfort or gas, indigestion, pressure, bloating, bloating or cramping pain
- Feeling full even after a little meal
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Loss of appetite
- Unfamiliar weight gain or loss
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Rectal bleeding
- Shortness of breath
Treatment Options
Surgery
Surgery only helps in diagnosis. It can also remove any lumps. To phase out and treat this cancer, a surgeon removes all the visible malignant cells using debulking or cytoreductive surgery. The surgeon can also remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. Depending on what is found, the surgeon may also remove other tissues and organs.
Chemotherapy
You can get these drugs by injection every day, two, or three weeks, depending on the patient. Sometimes, chemotherapy is delivered directly to the abdomen through a catheter that was placed under the skin during surgery.
HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy)
This is the post-surgical administration of warm chemotherapy into the peritoneum. It is commonly used by the cancer doctor in Kolkata for peritoneal cancer that has spread to the appendix, colon or stomach.
Palliative Care
Doctors often diagnose peritoneal cancer at an advanced stage. Supportive care usually helps relieve the symptoms of peritoneal cancer, including pain, weight loss, or fluid retention.