Stages of Peritoneal Cancer
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Definition
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Peritoneal cancer affects the peritoneum, which is a membrane that lines the inner wall of the abdomen, covering the uterus, bladder and rectum, and is composed of epithelial cells. This type of cancer behaves very similarly to ovarian cancer, likely because the ovaries are also composed of epithelial cells. Early symptoms are difficult to diagnose correctly, but may include abdominal discomfort or pain; gastrointestinal difficulties such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting; frequent urination; decreased appetite; sensation of fullness after small meals; unexplained weight gain or loss; and abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Stages and Grades
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Because it is typically found late, most peritoneal cancer is stage three or four. Stage three means that the cancer is confined within the abdomen, while stage four means that the cancer has spread to other organs. This is the same system used to stage ovarian cancer. The system allows for three steps of grading as well; these describe how quickly the cancerous cells are growing. Grade one tumors grow and spread slowly, and look the most like normal tissue when viewed under a microscope. Grade two tumors still look somewhat like normal tissue, but grow and spread quickly. Grade three cancers are called "aggressive" because they grow and spread very rapidly, and their cells look highly abnormal.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
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There are many ways that a doctor can diagnose peritoneal cancer. The doctor will begin by asking about unusual symptoms and conducting a complete physical exam after reviewing your medical history. A test targeted specifically to this type of cancer is the CA-125 Assay, a blood test that measures the level of CA-125 in the blood. This is a tumor marker that commonly occurs in elevated levels in the blood of individuals with ovarian or peritoneal cancer. Biopsies are also common ways to diagnose various cancers. In addition, a doctor may also perform a pelvic exam, an ultrasound, a CT scan or a lower GI series.
Peritoneal cancer is typically treated by surgery or chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy is taxing on the body, and in some cases, the cancer is not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages. The only treatment left available at that point is palliative care, or care designed to make the individual as comfortable as possible and relieve the symptoms, though no cure is expected.
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