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Palliative Management of Peritoneal Metastases

  • Gastrointestinal Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite significant recent advances in the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis, this diagnosis still is accompanied frequently by a grim survival prognosis, often measured in weeks to months. The poor prognosis also is accompanied often by complications and symptoms that have a dramatic impact on quality of life and are challenging to the managing health care provider and devastating to loved ones caring for the person who is suffering. Consequently, management of carcinomatosis often revolves around palliation of symptoms such as bowel obstruction, nausea, pain, fatigue, and cachexia as well as emotional and existential concerns. This article reviews several palliative treatment options for some of the more common symptoms and complications associated with advanced, incurable peritoneal carcinomatosis. Although readers should recognize that carcinomatosis is no longer an imminent death sentence, providers caring for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis also must be well-versed in the palliative management of this condition and recognize the utility of early palliative care referral in this setting.

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There are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Laura A. Lambert

  2. Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Jason Wiseman

Authors
  1. Laura A. Lambert
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  2. Jason Wiseman
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Correspondence to Laura A. Lambert.

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Lambert, L.A., Wiseman, J. Palliative Management of Peritoneal Metastases. Ann Surg Oncol 25, 2165–2171 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-018-6335-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-018-6335-7

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