What are the symptoms of peritoneal cancer?
The most common symptom for peritoneal cancer is pain and swelling in the abdomen.
In some cases, peritoneal cancer may not cause any symptoms until the cancer has spread (advanced). Signs and symptoms can include:
- Vaginal discharge that is clear, white or bloody.
- Vaginal bleeding that is irregular or heavy, especially after menopause.
- A lump in the lower abdomen.
- Gas, bloating or constipation.
How is peritoneal cancer diagnosed?
The medical oncologists, surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists at Miami Cancer Institute use state-of-the-art technology to pinpoint the exact type of tumor and the stage of disease to develop an effective treatment plan.
If your doctor suspects you have peritoneal cancer, he or she may conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history as well as your family medical history. Your doctor may also order diagnostic testing, such as blood and urine tests.
Your doctor will also ask you to undergo imaging tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound.
We may also decide to do a biopsy of the tumor. During this procedure, we will remove a tiny piece of tissue from a tumor or suspicious area and a pathologist will examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
Gynecologic oncologists at Miami Cancer Institute also work closely with experts in our next-generation genomic sequencing laboratory to help pinpoint your exact type of tumor and the most effective way to treat the cancer.
