Journal of Oncopathology and Clinical Research

Peritoneal cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in the peritoneum, a thin layer of epithelial tissue lining the abdomen. Peritoneal cancer is also called peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM), peritoneal metastases, peritoneal carcinomatosis, or pseudomyxomaperitonei (PMP). Peritoneal cancer is usually confused with ovarian cancer, as the outer layer of ovaries is covered with epithelial tissue. Primary peritoneal cancer is more frequent in women than in men; women at the risk of ovarian cancer are also at an increased risk of peritoneal cancer, especially if they have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Old age is another predisposing factor for peritoneal cancer. As the symptoms are too vague, it is very difficult to detect peritoneal cancer in its early stages.As of today, peritoneal cancer is incurable.