New views on pathogenesis and diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis

Peritoneal metastasis occurs in a number of heterogeneous tumors originating from the ovaries, stomach, intestines, pancreas, lungs, breast, and melanoma. Peritoneal carcinomatosis significantly reduces overall survival. While being almost unresponsive to treatment, dissemination of tumor cells along the peritoneum aggravates the course of the disease. Despite the use of locoregional treatment, peritoneal carcinomatosis is still considered to be an aggravating factor with a poor prognosis. Peritoneal carcinomatosis cannot be defined as a separate locoregional process with its own biology and oncogenesis due to the lack of clear understanding the molecular and biological features of peritoneal metastasis, as well as generally recognized standards for diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasms with various localizations. Addressing peritoneal carcinomatosis as a separate developing molecular event will enhance the understanding of its morpho- and oncogenesis and strengthen the search for therapeutic, diagnostic and preventive approaches to its management. Th e paper presents a bibliographic study of publications on exploring peritoneal metastases from various sites, including the abdominal and pelvic organs. Th e known mechanisms of tumors metastasis to the peritoneum are characterized in the paper. Diagnostic approaches to peritoneal carcinomatosis were assessed and compared. Th e collected data analysis revealed the main gaps in the understanding of peritoneal carcinomatosis oncogenesis.