How to Recognize Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Symptoms

A rare, abnormally acting cancer, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei affects a person's abdomen through a build up of a mucus, jelly-like fluid termed mucin. Typically the malignant growth begins in the appendix, bursts through the wall, spreading cancerous cells to the abdominal lining. The mucin build up causes most of the symptoms; however, many of these symptoms are present in other conditions, so diagnosis may be difficult.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Notice a slow increase in your waist size or unusual abdominal bloating. Pseudomyxoma Peritonei spreads internally along abdominal surfaces.
2. Report any chronic abdominal pain or discomfort to your doctor. Many doctors confuse Pseudomyxoma Peritonei in women with ovarian cancer, as they share the same major symptom of a swollen and painful abdomen.
3. Note any changes in appetite, such as a loss of appetite or changes in bowel habits.
4. Keep track if you're having trouble getting pregnant. Untreated Pseudomyxoma Peritonei causes women to become incapable of becoming pregnant.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people don't have any of the above symptoms, making diagnosis extremely difficult. And many of the symptoms affecting the abdomen, even if present, are associated with other medical conditions.
• It can take years to experience symptoms of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei.
• Mucinous tumor cells cover everything in the peritoneum, including the outer bowel, liver, womb, gallbladder and ovaries.