Pseudomyxoma peritonei--experience from a tertiary referral centre

Psuedomyxoma peritonei secondary to adenocarcinoma of the cecum

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare progressive disease. Patients commonly present with a picture of acute appendicitis or with increasing abdominal girth. We present a case of a 71 year old man who presented with right iliac fossa pain, fever and vomiting. His abdominal examination revealed right iliac fossa mass which was confirmed radiologically. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed jelly like material along with a right iliac fossa mass. The aspirate was negative for malignancy initially. Due to persistance and progression of his disease he underwent right hemicolectomy. Histopathological diagnosis showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the cecum Duke’s C2.

Sciatica caused by pseudomyxoma peritonei

Many etiologies may cause sciatica, and intra-abdominal masses usually affect the lumbosacral plexus by local invasion or distal metastases. Lumbosacral plexopathy caused by compression of intra-abdominal tumors instead of invasion is rarely seen. A 67-year-old woman had a 3-month history of progressive neurogenic claudication, lumbago and left L5 radiculopathy with foot drop. Nocturia and progressive abdominal distension with voiding dysfunction were also noted. Imaging studies showed a huge pelvic mass with severe compression of the left lumbosacral trunk. There was no direct invasion of the lumbosacral plexus by the pelvic mass noted in the preoperative imaging studies or intraoperative findings. Bilateral ovarian borderline mucinous cystic tumor with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) was diagnosed, and the sciatica was improved dramatically after subsequent abdominal debulking surgery. Although rare, neural compression caused by PMP and intra-abdominal masses needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of sciatica.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition, which is known for its high mortality when not treated properly. The first step to improve prognosis of these patients is to recognize this clinical syndrome preferably in an early stage. Knowledge of pathogenesis and common diagnostic tools is essential in this regard. Treatment strategy for PMP should pursue complete cytoreduction and prevention of recurrence or progression. Combined modality treatment, consisting of cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, seems very efficient in this regard. This approach is currently carried out in many centers throughout the world with promising results and seems to win ground as the standard treatment approach.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei

BACKGROUND

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an unusual condition in which gelatinous fluid collections are associated with mucinous implants on the peritoneal surfaces and omentum. The pathological origin and ideal treatment of the condition are subjects of debate.

METHODS

An unrestricted Medline search over 1986-1997 was performed for pseudomyxoma peritonei.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

There is increasing evidence that pseudomyxoma peritonei is a neoplastic condition which usually arises from a primary adenoma or adenocarcinoma of the appendix. Reported series include a spectrum of pathological lesions, from entirely benign ruptured mucocele to advanced carcinoma. This, and the rarity of the condition, limit the conclusions that can be drawn regarding its treatment and prognosis. Most authorities agree that a thorough surgical debulking should be made. In most cases this will be a difficult and time-consuming undertaking, possibly requiring cooperation between two or more specialists and consideration of delivering intraperitoneal adjuvant therapy during or immediately after surgery. Treatment therefore requires a planned approach with accurate preoperative assessment of the diagnosis and the extent of the condition. There is some largely anecdotal evidence in favour of intraperitoneal chemotherapy and radioisotope treatment. Ultraradical surgery, with heated intraoperative and further postoperative chemotherapy, is strongly advocated by one group but remains contentious. The majority of patients will eventually suffer recurrence. The 5-year survival rate ranges from 53 to 75 per cent, but outcomes vary widely between relatively benign and malignant subgroups.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei. Long-term patient survival with an aggressive regional approach

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to analyze the natural history of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), evaluate clinical and pathologic variables as prognostic indicators, and review the authors' experience with different treatments.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

PMP is an unusual form of intra-abdominal neoplasm that presents with large amounts of extracellular mucin. Diffuse peritoneal spread occurs in most patients with PMP, and distant metastasis is infrequent. Debulking surgery, radiation therapy (radioisotope and external beam), and chemotherapy (both intraperitoneal and systemic) have all been advocated for optional patient management, but the variability of patients studied, the small patient numbers, and the prolonged course of this disease make the evaluation of results difficult.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients were treated for PMP at the Mayo Clinic between 1957 and 1983. The data were collected retrospectively. Univariate (log-rank test) and multivariate (Cox regression model) analyses were performed for disease recurrence and patient survival.

RESULTS

Most patients with PMP had carcinomas of the appendix (52%) or ovary (34%). All gross tumor could be removed only in the 34% of patients with limited disease. Although tumor progression occurred in 76% of patients, the 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 98%, 53%, and 32%, respectively. Adverse predictors of patient survival included weight loss (p = 0.001), abdominal distention (p = 0.004), use of systemic chemotherapy (p = 0.005), diffuse disease (p = 0.038), and invasion of other organs (p = 0.04). Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (p = 0.009) and radioisotopes (p = 0.0043) both were effective in prolonging the recurrence time of symptomatic PMP.

CONCLUSIONS

Although PMP is an indolent disease, aggressive surgical debulking followed by intraperitoneal radioisotopes and/or chemotherapy should be considered because of the diffuse peritoneal involvement.