Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) secondary to mucinous carcinoma of the ovary: A case study

Abstract

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), also referred to as gelatinous ascites, is a rare disorder, described for the first time by R. Wyerth in 1884. It is characterized by diffuse peritoneal involvement, composed of mucinous ascites and multifocal mucinous epithel ial implants. This disease mainly affects women. Its incidence is estimated at 2 cases per one million inhabitants. Pseudomyxoma peritonei can be asymptomatic, discovered during a laparotomy. The most common symptom is abdominal distension associated with diffuse abdominal pain. Abdominal CT scan is the most specific diagnostic tool. It shows pathognomonic signs of gelatinous ascites. Mucinous neoplasms of the appendix are the most frequent cause of pseudomyxoma peritonei accounting for 90% of cases. Pseudomyxoma peritonei of ovarian origin is very rare. There are essentially two types of treatment: multiple debulking surgery and cytoreductive surgery with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy consisting of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with or without immediate postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. We report a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei secondary to mucinous carcinoma of the left ovary.