TUMOURS OF THE PERITONEUM Primary peritoneal malig

TUMOURS OF THE PERITONEUM Primary peritoneal malignancy

Primary tumours of the peritoneum are rare. They arise in the mesothelium of the peritoneum. Mesothelioma of the peritoneum is less frequent than in the pleural cavity but is equally lethal. Asbestos is a recognised cause. It has a predilection for the pelvic peritoneum. Cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) or systemic cisplatin-based chemotherapy are the mainstays of treatment.