Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Ovarian Cancer

The peritoneum is a thin lining around many abdominal organs. Ovarian cancer cells can settle on this surface and cause fluid build-up, abdominal swelling, pelvic pressure, early fullness, constipation, or changes in urination. These symptoms can also occur with non-cancerous conditions, so they cannot identify the cause alone.

Assessment may include examination, blood tests, cross-sectional imaging, and a pelvic ultrasound. Tissue findings establish the cancer type. Genomic tumour profiling and BRCA genetic testing may provide information relevant to treatment or family discussions.

Ask for review by a gynaecological oncology team. They may discuss chemotherapy before or after surgery, ovarian cancer debulking surgery, or removal of an ovary and related tissue when appropriate. The plan depends on the extent of peritoneal disease, fitness for treatment, pathology, and personal priorities. Palliative care can relieve pain, nausea, breathlessness, or abdominal symptoms while other treatment continues.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or urine, marked abdominal swelling with breathlessness, fainting, or heavy bleeding. Contact the cancer team promptly for fever, dehydration, new confusion, or pain that is not controlled by the prescribed plan.

Ask how the peritoneal findings were identified, whether a biopsy is needed, what the pathology shows, and whether genetic or tumour profiling is appropriate. Discuss the aim of surgery or chemotherapy, likely recovery needs, bowel and bladder effects, fertility or menopause concerns, and who to call outside appointments.