Clinical characteristics of primary peritoneal carcinoma patients: a single-institution experience involving 8 patients

Primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) is treated similarly to advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (aEOC); however, the standard approach for the management of PPC is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and prognosis of those patients. A retrospective analysis was performed of eight patients with PPC between January 2008 and December 2015. Clinicopathologic parameters, the diagnostic modality, treatment, and oncologic outcome were analyzed. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 72.5 years (range: 55–79), with a median follow-up of 26.5 months (range, 5–74). Most of the PPC developed with carcinomatosis peritonei involving ascites, while some cases developed sporadically in the peritoneal or extraperitoneal cavity without ascites. The most common initial symptom was abdominal fullness, and other symptoms were inguinal tumor, paralysis of the extremities, and respiratory disorder. The preoperative CA125 value was elevated in all patients. In four patients who did not undergo primary surgery, the final diagnoses were determined by the ascites cytology and radiological image. Initial or interval debulking surgery was performed in only two patients. All patients were treated with paclitaxel or docetaxel plus carboplatin. Five showed a complete response (CR), and one showed a partial response (PR). Among the five patients with CR, the median progression-free and overall survival periods were 15 (12–26) and 41.5 (32–74) months, respectively. Three patients without carcinomatosis peritonei showed a relatively favorable prognosis. The management of PPC is generally consistent with that of aEOC; however, in atypical cases, the treatment method should be considered individually.