primary serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum
A primary serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum (PSPCP) is an extremely rare primary peritoneal tumor.
Epidemiology
They usually present in postmenopausal women.
Clinical presentation
Patients tend to present with non-specific complaints such as abdominal pain, anorexia, and abdominal distention.
Pathology
It is histologically identical to serous papillary carcinoma of the ovary . PSPCP is believed to originate from either peritoneal mesothelial cells with müllerian differentiation or nests of ovarian tissue remnants within the peritoneum
Markers
Serum CA-125 levels may be elevated .
Radiographic features
CT
While most features are nonspecific, CT features of diffuse peritoneal, omental and mesenterial involvement especially in middle-aged or elderly postmenopausal women with normal-size ovaries in the absence of an identifiable primary site in and conjunction with elevated level of serum CA-125 may suggest the possibility of PSPCP .
Differential diagnosis
On imaging, a PSPCP can resemble that of peritoneal carcinomatosis
Other considerations include
- malignant primary peritoneal mesothelioma
- inflammatory pathology