Tumors of Peritoneum

Abstract

Primary peritoneal tumors and tumor-like conditions of secondary mullerian system include various endometrioid, serous, and mucinous lesions. Endometriosis is the most common tumor-like condition resulting in a significant morbidity in women of reproductive years of age. In addition, preneoplastic hyperplasia and carcinomas (clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas) may arise from endometriosis. Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma is a frequent differential diagnosis from that of the ovarian primary. Diffuse involvement of surfaces of various abdominal organs and minimal (<5 mm in size) ovarian parenchymal involvement are diagnostic criteria for a peritoneal serous carcinoma. Various serous and mucinous cytadenomas and borderline tumors may present as extraovarian primaries. Metastatic carcinomas are the most common tumors involving the peritoneum. Gestational trophoblastic tumors primarily involving the peritoneum are extremely rare, including gestational choriocarcinoma and intermediate trophoblastic tumor (PSTT and ETT, see Chap. 8).