Pseudomixoma of the 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 it mean?

The term was proposed by the scientist Werth in 1884. Initially applied to cases of secondary damage, provoked by cyst breakthrough. Over time, it was possible to find out that the pseudomixome 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.

The scientists found out that the seeding of mucus occurs due to spontaneous ruptures with excessive stretching of the wall or a decrease in its thickness, as well as in the course of surgical intervention: removal of the cyst or appendix.

And under a microscope?

When studying the cavity at high magnification, it can be seen that the pseudomixome of the peritoneum is filled with a peculiar serous substance into which the mucus is interfered. 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, the intestinal loops, the omentum and the stomach are soldered. 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 is 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?

Tumors of the peritoneum are distinguished by two types:

• Primary;
• Secondary.

From malignant medicine it is more often fixed metastatic, that is, secondary. 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, they say that the pseudomixoma of the peritoneum is diagnosed, the outlook of which 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.

Diagnostics

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

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

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

Allocate:

• Limited defeat;
• 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 "pseudomixoma of the 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 the "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.

With the degeneration of pathology, only those who are ready to go for radical removal receive malignant chances 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 in the power to determine exactly whether the malignancy has already occurred. This is revealed in a histological study, which can show the absence of malignant cells in a sample of tissue taken, but can not serve as a guarantee that there are no such cells in the body at all.

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

What to do?

Before deciding what are the signs of pathology when diagnosing 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 radiation therapy, when irradiation of affected tissues with platinum, gold isotopes occurs.

Without correct treatment, a person who falls 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

Statistics say that the pseudomixome of the peritoneum occurs in about 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 oncology, - intestinal obstruction.

The following types of mucin are characteristic of the disease:

• Free.
• Deposits. Allocate large, small. They are fairly tightly fitting 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.
• Swimming 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, guaranteeing 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 institutions, having carefully studied the documentation, as well as the opinions of those who have actually been treated there. Beware of unscrupulous doctors and substandard services.