Peritoneal cancer is similar to ovarian cancer in behaviour and appearance
Highlights
- Peritoneal cancer is not the same as intestinal or stomach cancer
- It is more common in women than men
- Old age is a risk factor for peritoneal cancer
Veteran actress Nafisa Ali, in a heart-wrenching post on Instagram, revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer. In a post where she shared a photo with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, she mentioned that the cancer was at stage 3. Later, through a series of posts with her family, she revealed that she was diagnosed with peritoneal and ovarian cancer. Diagnosis of cancer can be quite traumatising for not just the patient, but even the patient's family. Here's wishing Nafisa Ali speedy recovery and immense strength to fight with her condition.
Peritoneal cancer is a rare kind of cancer which develops in a thin layer of tissue lining the abdomen. The cancer covers the uterus, bladder and the rectum - this structure together is made up of epithelial cells and is known as the peritoneum. It produces a fluid which helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a cancer in which abnormal cells multiply in the ovaries beyond control and progress to form a tumor. If ovarian cancer is left untreated for too long, it can spread to other parts of the body. This cancer is referred to metastatic ovarian cancer. Early signs of ovarian cancer are vague and easy to dismiss. Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal bleeding, pain and pressure, difficulty in eating, frequent urination and increased urge to urinate. Ovarian cancer is also likely to cause fatigue, back pain, menstrual irregularities, heartburn, indigestion and menstrual irregularities.
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What is the link between peritoneal cancer and ovarian cancer?
Peritoneal cancer is quite similar to ovarian cancer in behaviour and appearance. Both these cancers have similar symptoms and are also treated in the same way but yet are different.
Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer that can develop along with ovarian cancer and is the kind which can occur anywhere in the abdominal space and affects organs inside the peritoneum. It should be noted here that peritoneal cancer is not the same as intestinal or stomach cancer. Peritoneal cancer starts at the peritoneum and is thus called primary peritoneal cancer.
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Primary peritoneal cancer is more common in women than men. Women who are at risk of ovarian cancer are also at risk of peritoneal cancer. Women with genetic mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2 are also at increased risks of peritoneal cancer. Old age is also a risk factor.
As is the case with ovarian cancer, peritoneal cancer is also difficult to be diagnosed at early stages. This is because its symptoms are vague and hard to pinpoint. Clearer symptoms appear not until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. At this stage, symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those of ovarian cancer.
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Some symptoms of peritoneal cancer include discomfort in the abdomen because of gas, indigestion, swelling or bloating. Constipation, frequent urination, loss of appetite, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, rectal bleeding and shortness of breath are other symptoms.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.