lunes, 23 de julio de 2012

Overview | Women's Cancer Network ► Primary Peritoneal Cancer: An Overview

Overview | Women's Cancer Network

 
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From the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health


New on the MedlinePlus Ovarian Cancer page:

07/19/2012 08:00 PM EDT

Source: Foundation for Women's Cancer

Primary Peritoneal Cancer: An Overview

For more information, please view the topics in the green box to the right.
Cancer happens when cells inside the body grow in an abnormal way. Primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) is a relatively rare cancer. It develops most often in women. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of malignancy that affects the ovaries. PPC is closely related to it. What causes PPC is not known.
It’s important to know that it’s possible to have PPC even if your ovaries have been removed.
The abdominal cavity and the surface of all the organs in it are covered by the peritoneum. This is a cellophane-like, glistening, moist sheet of tissue. It protects the organs in the abdomen. It also supports them and prevents them from sticking to each other. That way they can move smoothly within the abdomen.
The cells of the peritoneal lining develop from the same type of cell that lines the surface of the ovary. Certain cells in the peritoneum can transform into cancerous cells. When this occurs, the result is primary peritoneal cancer. It can occur anywhere inside the abdomen. And it can affect the surface of any organ contained there.

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