Surgical oncology
Peritoneal cancer
Cancer affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity — most often spread from another organ. Treatment is highly individual and surgery has a limited, selected role.
In plain language
What this operation is
The peritoneum is the membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the organs within it. Cancer affecting it is usually spread from elsewhere — most often ovary, stomach, colon or appendix — rather than starting there.
It commonly presents with abdominal swelling from fluid collecting in the cavity (ascites), discomfort, bloating, loss of appetite or weight loss. Because those are vague, it is often found at a point where the disease is already widespread.
Treatment depends heavily on where the cancer originated and how extensive the involvement is. Chemotherapy is central for most. Surgery has a role in selected cases — for diagnosis, to relieve obstruction, or as part of a specialised approach in carefully chosen patients.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- Abdominal swelling from fluid, with bloating or discomfort
- Peritoneal deposits found on CT imaging
- The need for tissue diagnosis where the origin is not known
- Obstruction requiring surgical relief
And when it is not. Extensive peritoneal disease is often not treatable by surgery, and operating in that situation can do harm without benefit. An honest assessment of what surgery can and cannot achieve comes first.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
A rapidly swelling abdomen, severe pain, vomiting with no bowel movement, or breathlessness needs urgent hospital assessment.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 What does peritoneal spread mean?
It means cancer cells have reached the lining of the abdominal cavity, usually from an organ within it. It affects how the disease is treated, which is why establishing the origin matters.
Meaning02 Why is my abdomen swelling?
Peritoneal involvement often causes fluid to collect in the abdominal cavity, called ascites. Draining it can relieve symptoms, and analysing the fluid can help establish the diagnosis.
Ascites03 Is surgery possible?
In selected cases. It depends on the origin of the cancer, how extensive the involvement is, and general health. For many patients chemotherapy is the main treatment and surgery has a limited role.
SurgeryNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.