A Palliative Approach to Management of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Malignant Ascites

Josh Bleicher; Laura A Lambert

doi:10.1016/j.soc.2021.02.004

A Palliative Approach to Management of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Malignant Ascites

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2021 Jul;30(3):475-490. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2021.02.004.

Authors

Josh Bleicher¹, Laura A Lambert²

Affiliations

¹ Division of General Surgery, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 1950 Circle of Hope, Suite 6405, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Electronic address: Josh.bleicher@hsc.utah.edu.
² Division of General Surgery, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 1950 Circle of Hope, Suite 6405, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.

PMID: 34053663
DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2021.02.004

Abstract

In addition to severe, life-limiting complications such as malignant bowel obstruction, fistulae, and malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis frequently causes life-impacting symptoms such as pain, nausea, anorexia, cachexia, and fatigue. A variety of medical, interventional, and surgical therapies are now available for management of both complications and symptoms. Although surgery in this population is often associated with a relatively high risk of morbidity and mortality, operative intervention can offer effective palliative treatment in appropriately selected patients. Early involvement of palliative care specialists as part of a multidisciplinary team is essential to providing optimal, holistic care of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Keywords: Cancer; Malignancy; Malignant ascites; Malignant bowel obstruction; Oncology; Palliative care; Peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Ascites / etiology
Ascites / therapy
Humans
Intestinal Obstruction*
Palliative Care
Peritoneal Neoplasms* / complications
Peritoneal Neoplasms* / therapy
Treatment Outcome