PSEUDOMYXOMA PERITONEI

Abstract

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a term that began life as a description of a pathological entity; but now, by usage, it refers to a clinical syndrome of massive accumulation of gelatinous ascites, with long survival and an absence of lymphatic, hepatic parenchymal, and extraperitoneal spread. The peritoneal cavity may contain cell-free pseudomucin, or there may be epithelial elements that vary in appearance from benign to frankly malignant. It seems likely that malignant tumours of the appendix or ovary cause most examples. Relatively good general health is usually preserved until abdominal distension makes life intolerable. The treatment is basically surgical, and consists of removal of free pseudomucin at laparotomy, together with excision of as much solid tumour as possible. Supplementary local chemotherapy seems to improve the prognosis, but systemic chemotherapy and local radiotherapy have no proven place in management. The clinical and pathological details of three previously unreported cases are included in this report.