Peritoneal Surface Malignancies

Peritoneal surface malignancy can be defined as any cancer that has either originated from the peritoneum itself (primary peritoneal malignancy) or has metastasized to the peritoneum from a different primary site (secondary peritoneal malignancy). Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy have been reported to improve overall and disease-free survival for patients with limited peritoneal malignancy arising from colon and rectum, mucinous appendiceal neoplasms, and peritoneal mesothelioma. However, patient selection is essential for successful surgery. Tumor biology and extent of disease are important factors to consider prior to operation. Systemic chemotherapy also plays a role in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis and patients should be referred to a tertiary care center for multimodality management.