Peritoneal biopsy frozen section: cachexia manifesting as signet ring-like cells

Peritoneal metastases from signet ring cell adenocarcinoma may be overlooked at laparoscopy, resulting in problematic false-negative diagnoses. Conversely, false-positive diagnoses are rarely reported. For the surgeon, cachexia may rise suspicion for peritoneal metastases by exhibiting a worrisome micronodular appearance of the peritoneum, and atrophic adipocytes looks like signet ring cells at the microscopical level. Being aware of this underdiagnosed condition may help avoiding unfortunate false-positive diagnoses of peritoneal metastases during intraoperative consultation.