How to Diagnose Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare disorder in which mucus-secreting cells become implanted in the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and continue to secrete mucus that collects in the peritoneum as mucin. The tumor itself is not harmful and may not even be a true cancer, but the mucin has nowhere to go inside the peritoneum. It will eventually build up to the point where it compresses vital organs.

Instructions

• 1

  Expect the onset of pseudomyxoma peritonei to be gradual. Some patients do not show symptoms for years.

• 2

  Notice the following symptoms when they do eventually occur: abdominal or pelvic pain, abdominal swelling and bloating, changes in bowel function and weight, digestive problems and infertility in women.

• 3

  Find pseudomyxoma peritonei with a range of other conditions. Most cases are associated with appendiceal cacinomas and also may be found with disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis, peritoneal carcinomas and several mucinous cancers. These include mucinous adenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and mucinous cystadenoma.

• 4

  Discover pseudomyxoma peritonei during surgery for another condition. This is a common occurrence and the diagnosis can be confirmed at this point by an experienced pathologist.

• 5

  Confirm the diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei through pathology. These tests may include CT scans and tumor markers. The measurement of the tumor with CA19.9 is considered useful in predicting a recurrence after the tumor has been treated with cytoreductive surgery. Because it is so rare, it is especially important that pseudomyxoma peritonei be diagnosed so that appropriate treatment may be obtained.