pseudomyxoma peritonei
Last reviewed 01/2018
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