Carcinomatosis treatment

By carcinomatosis we mean the multiple spread of the tumor beyond the primary focus. In this case, cancer cells affect the serous membranes (pleura, peritoneum), as well as parenchymatous organs.

Highlight such forms:

• Carcinomatosis of the brain membranes;
• Peritoneal carcinomatosis;
• Pulmonary lymphangiac carcinomatosis.

Carcinomatosis develops due to the intense growth and decay of a primary tumor, which can be found in any area of the human body. Cancerous cells spread with lymph flow and blood flow through the vessels.

The localization of the tumor, its size and morphological structure affect the development of carcinomatosis.

• Chemotherapy;
• Radiation Therapy;
• Surgical treatment;
• Chemioembolism.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs when tumor cells pass through cerebrospinal fluid. This occurs because of the direct spread of the tumor or through the bloodstream. Cerebral carcinomasis can be caused by any cancer, but is more often detected in adenocarcinoma. Breast cancer is the most common cause.

Symptoms

Patients’ complaints under this form of carcinomatosis are variable and often unspecific, which may complicate the diagnosis at an early stage. You may experience headaches and some confusion, as well as nausea and dizziness. Cranial nerve pares may develop.

Diagnostics

If neurological symptoms appear, patients who are treated for cancer should immediately tell their attending doctor. Diagnosis of leptomeningial carcinomatosis consists of such stages:

• Neurological examination and thorough collection of anamnesis.
• A cytological examination of cerebrospinal fluid.
• MRI of the brain and/or spinal cord.

This form affects the peripheral lymph nodes of the pleura and mediastinum, as well as the central lymph nodes and chest vessels.

Causes

Most often it develops due to multiple spread of such tumors:

• Breast cancer (the most frequent cause);
• Lung cancer;
• Stomach cancer;
• Prostate cancer;
• Cervical cancer;
• Thyroid cancer;

Symptoms

Lymphangiac carcinomatosis often occurs asymptomatically in its early stages. Some patients may experience dyspnea and pathological changes from spirometry even before the X-ray.

Diagnosis

In the presence of basic cancer, the patient may have symptoms related to breathing and lung function. After collecting anamnesis and examination, the doctor may prescribe such instrumental methods:

• High resolution computed tomography;
• PET-CT (Positron Emission Computed Tomography);

The abdomen is a certain shell that covers the abdominal cavity and internal organs. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which circulates under the influence of intestinal peristalsis and diaphragm movements. This determines the way cancer cells spread across the peritoneum.

Causes

In most cases, peritoneal carcinomatosis develops due to ovarian and colorectal cancer, as well as other tumors in the abdomen:

• Pancreatic cancer;
• Stomach cancer;
• Hepatocellular carcinoma;
• Endometrial cancer;
• Gallbladder carcinoma;
• Cervical cancer.

Peritoneal tumors such as lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer may cause peritoneal carcinomasis due to the spread of malignant cells with blood flow.

Symptoms

Appearances can be different. Often patients complain of abdominal pain, nausea, ascites, bowel obstruction.