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Pseudomyxoma peritonei

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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This accompanies 3-5% of mucinous ovarian tumours, and consists of gelatinous masses of mucin and tumour scattered through the peritoneal and abdominal cavities as a result of of rupture of a mucinous cystadenoma. It may compromise vital structures by local spread, and rarely, may cause death.

The condition may also arise after rupture of a mucocoele of the appendix which commonly coexists with the ovarian mucocoele. It is postulated that ovarian tumours may represent secondary metastasis from a gastrointestinal tumour (1). This is supported by evidence that most women with this condition do not have an overt rupture of an ovarian tumour. Also 90% have concurrent appendicular or intestinal tumours (1).

This condition is treated via surgical debulking.

This condition has a 30-50% 10 year survival.

Reference:

  • 1) Fox H (1996). Br J Obs Gynae, 103, 197

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