Primary peritoneal carcinoma: a report of twelve cases and a review of the literature

• Published in: Gynecologic and obstetric investigation Vol. 50; no. 3; p. 203
• Main Authors: Cormio, G, Di Vagno, G, Di Gesù, G, Mastroianni, M, Melilli, G A, Vimercati, A, Putignano, G, Loverro, G, Selvaggi, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01-01-2000
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Carcinoma - drug therapy; Carcinoma - pathology; Carcinoma - surgery; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms; Peritoneal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Peritoneal Neoplasms - pathology; Peritoneal Neoplasms - surgery
• ISSN: 0378-7346
• DOI: 10.1159/000010311

Primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) is rare tumor histologically identical to epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC); it is differentiated from EOC based on the extent of gross ovarian involvement and microscopic invasion of the cortex. We report 12 cases of PPC which were diagnosed in our Department during a 9-year period. Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy were performed in 9 patients, while 3 underwent only explorative laparotomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. All patients were treated with postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 42 months, only 5 patients are alive without disease. PPC is a rare tumor currently managed in the same way as ovarian cancer. Primary debulking surgery and chemotherapy represent the cornerstones of treatment. Considering the limited number of patients with PPC, no definitive conclusion can be drawn concerning the prognostic factors for survival.