Pseudomyxoma peritonei
Overview
Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a very rare type of cancer that usually begins in your appendix as a small growth, called a polyp. Or, more rarely, it can start in other parts of the bowel, the ovary or bladder. This polyp eventually spreads through the wall of your appendix and spreads cancerous cells to the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). These cancerous cells produce mucus, which collects in the abdomen as a jelly like fluid called mucin.
Symptoms
* Abdominal pain * Abdominal swelling * Altered bowel habits * Impaired digestive function
Causes
The cause of this type of cancer is not known. Most cancers are caused by a number of different factors working together.
Treatment
* Surgery * A specialist type of chemotherapy called IP chemotherapy