What is cancer of the peritoneum?

The peritoneum is a membrane that covers all organs of the abdomen (belly). It secretes the fluid in the abdomen, which facilitates the sliding of the intestines during the propulsion of food. Its surface area of the skin, namely 2 m².

Peritoneal cancer means the presence of small cancer cells on the peritoneum. Below you see the small intestine, covered by peritoneum, on which are located a few small cancer pink cells.


Abdomen Tumors, such as cancer of the large intestine (colon) and tumors of the ovaries, can spread and create sowings in three ways:

-via the lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes

-via the veins to other organs like the liver or lungs

-via the abdominal cavity to the peritoneum



Patients with peritoneal seeding to have already seeding to the liver or lungs. However, in some patients, the seeding is limited to the peritoneum. For the latter group of patients, a HIPEC may be indicated.