Primary Peritoneal Cancer Symptoms

The peritoneum is a sheet of body tissue that lines the inside of the tummy (abdomen), and helps protect the contents of the abdomen.

The peritoneum also produces a lubricating fluid that helps the organs move easily within the abdomen as we move around. Primary peritoneal carcinoma is cancer of that tissue.

Primary peritoneal cancer behaves very much like the most common type of ovarian cancer, because the lining of the abdomen and surface of the ovary come from the same tissue when people develop as embryos in the womb.

Therefore, primary peritoneal cancer and ovarian cancer have similar symptoms and are treated in much the same way.

Symptoms for primary peritoneal cancer can be very vague and difficult to spot, especially when the disease is in its early stages. These symptoms may include:

Stomach pain
Weight loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Hernia
Fluid in the abdominal cavity (effusion)
Mass in the abdomen
Since these symptoms are common to other diseases, it is very important that you seek out medical attention right away if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.