Pseudomixoma of peritoneum: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Pseudomixoma of the peritoneum is a pathology, which is characterized by a conglomeration of mucus that eventually undergoes reorganization.

What does this mean?

The term was proposed by the scientist Werth in 1884.Initially applied to cases of secondary lesion, provoked by breakthrough cysts. Over time, it was possible to find out that the pseudomixoma of the peritoneum causes the displacement of substances located in the appendix in the cavity, which in turn provokes a breakthrough of the urinary flow or bile duct.

Scientists have found out that mucus contamination occurs due to spontaneous ruptures with excessive stretching of the wall or a decrease in its thickness, as well as during surgery: removal of the cyst or appendix.

And under a microscope?

When examining the cavity at high magnification, it can be seen that the pseudomixome of the peritoneum is filled with a peculiar serous substance in which the mucus is interfering. This initiates inflammation, which causes deformation of the walls:

• thickening;
• dehumidification;
• wrinkling.

In some cases, the surface turns into a similar velvet, while in some places there are hemorrhages. With the development of pathology, there is a soldering of the intestinal loops, omentum and stomach. The organs lose the mobility necessary for normal functioning.

Studying the damaged area under the microscope, you can see that in the cells where the mucus is located, there are layers of tissue in which there is an infiltrate. The epithelium in such altered cells is:

• cubic;
• flattened.

The composition of affected cells varies with time, this is determined by the pathology stage. When the diagnosis of "pseudomixoma of the peritoneum" in the mucus appears cells:

• lymphocytes;
• fibroblasts;
• multi-core giants;
• polymorphic leukocytes;
• histiocytes;
• cylindrical epithelium.

The latter is capable of implanting into the peritoneum. Penetrates this organ through a perforation. It was due to the proliferation of the epithelium that the pseudomixome of the peritoneum was ranked among the tumor diseases, the symptoms of which are not obvious in the general case. The process proceeds lethargic, is maintained by mucus, is considered inflammatory.

A tumor is scary?

Peritoneal tumors distinguish two types:

• primary;
• secondary.

Of malignant medicine, it is metastatic, that is, secondary, that most often records. As for the primary, the number includes the pseudomixome of the peritoneum. Symptoms of the disease at first are completely invisible. With the development of pathology, the spread of cells occurs over the surface of the peritoneum without affecting adjacent organs. This is a key feature of the described cancer. The method of spreading infected cells is diffuse.

In the case when other tissues are affected besides the omentum, it is said that the pseudomixoma of the peritoneum is diagnosed, whose outlook is disappointing. In many respects this is due to the fact that pathology is usually detected against the background of an already detected oncological disease in other organs.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of "pseudomixoma of the peritoneum" is usually made with laparotomy. Assign it to the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain( usually dull);
• increased abdominal volume for no apparent reason.

This is due to the accumulation of fluids in the body tissues.

Allocate:

• limited lesion;
• pseudomixoglobulosis.

How does this happen?

As a rule, the disease manifests itself against the background of rupture of the cyst. This is due to the fact that the breakthrough causes penetration into the abdominal cavity of not only mucus, but also epithelium. Its cells have a unique ability to implant into the tissues on which they are found. Over time, the degenerated places also begin to produce mucus.

As a rule, the diagnosis of "pseudomixome of peritoneum" means that the disease is malignant. Pathologies belong to the number of superficial, do not lead to disruption of the functioning of internal systems and organs. Pseudomixoma is mobile, it is characterized by a "trembling syndrome".Today, the only effective method of diagnosing a disease is surgery, during which tissue samples are obtained. Confirmation of pathology is provided by biopsy.

What to expect?

It is necessary to be prepared for the fact that when diagnosing a "pseudomixome of the peritoneum" treatment is an operation. There were no other effective ways to combat pathology so far. If the new growth is benign, it will have to be cut, considering where the tissues are still healthy.

In case of a degeneration of pathology, only those who are ready to go for radical removal receive a malignant chance of recovery. However, the forecast is unfavorable. Complete recovery can be expected in the case of a benign tumor process, but after rebirth, even surgical intervention is not able to completely block the production and accumulation of mucus.

It's not always the doctors are able to accurately determine whether there has already been malignancy. This is revealed in the course of histological examination, which can show the absence of malignant cells in the sample of tissue taken, but can not serve as a guarantee that there are not any in the body at all.

With the diagnosis of "pseudomixoma of the peritoneum" treatment is selected, suggesting that the tumor has already undergone malignancy. This is due to the high frequency of relapse, invasion.

What should I do?

Before deciding what are the signs of pathology in the diagnosis of the "pseudomixome of the peritoneum"( the last stage), it is first necessary to clarify, radiation therapy and chemical have shown ineffectiveness in the fight against the disease.

At the present moment, no special treatment for this disease has been invented. Simple removal of mucus has shown ineffectiveness, because cells that have implanted in the epithelium continue to produce it.

It is believed that good results can be achieved by radiotherapy when irradiation of affected tissues with platinum, gold isotopes occurs.

Without a correct treatment, a person who has fallen ill dies in one to two years. In some cases, the course of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of fistulas on the skin.

Important nuances of

Statistics say that peritoneal pseudomixoma occurs in approximately 1% of patients, therefore it is classified as extremely rare. Its danger is in the latent flow, atypical development and unfavorable prognosis.

In some cases, the development of pathology occurs against the background of appendicular mucin. Of the number of symptoms that make it possible to suspect an oncology, - intestinal obstruction.

The following types of mucin are characteristic of the disease:

• Free.
• Deposits. Allocate large, small. They are quite tightly fit to the peritoneal surface. In deposits, inflammatory processes occur and mesothelial cells are present. In some cases, fibroblasts and capillaries are found here. But neplastichnyh cells in most cases can not be detected.
• Pools. These masses usually have collagenized tissue as a shell. In science, such formations are called a divided mucin.

Whom to believe?

In recent years, several Israeli clinics have emerged that guarantee the complete cure of cancer. As a rule, such organizations do not give any official promises, but they make catchy advertising, inspiring hope in patients and their relatives.

Remember that it is necessary to choose medical facilities, having thoroughly studied the documentation, as well as the feedback of those who have actually been treated there. Beware of unscrupulous doctors and substandard services.