The invasive malignancy from peritoneal epithelial cell: a report of four cases and review of literature

To analyze the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) and to review the literature, so as to raise the awareness of the disease. Four cases of PPC diagnosed in our department from March 2005 to September 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Four cases were all treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. They were treated with intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia (IPCH) with cisplatin, carboplatin or oxaliplatin with a closed sterile circuit of 1,000 ml physiologic saline and inflow temperature is 43°C, while they were receiving high-intensity focused microwave hyperthermia (HIFMH) concomitantly. Intravenous paclitaxel or docetaxel was used in three patients, while cyclophosphamide and adriamycin injection in another patient. After two cycles of chemotherapy, ascites decreased significantly or even disappeared. Up to 6 January 2010, the four cases had survived for 38, 51, 33 and 29 months, respectively. PPC is a group of invasive malignancy derived from the peritoneal epithelium, it is common in women and is homogeneous with ovarian cancer in pathology. Diagnosis relies mainly on postoperative pathologic diagnosis and cytology after ruling out ovarian cancer and gastrointestinal cancer. Platinum-containing chemotherapy, IPCH and the administration of taxanes can improve the overall response rate and long-term survival.