9 Steps of Peritoneal Cancer Progression

Peritoneal cancer is caused by carcinomatosis which occurs at the visceral and parietal peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. The tumour cells disseminate from their primary organ of origin to develop metastatic deposits on the visceral and parietal lining of the abdominal cavity. Therefore, it is important to find out the molecular events involved in peritoneal carcinomatosis to design the treatment to deal with the peritoneal cancer.

For better understanding on the events involved in peritoneal carcinomatosis, we need to look deeply on every single process of peritoneal cancer progression. We called this series of steps as “Peritoneal Metastatic Cascade”. Yet, we have to bear in mind that each step in the metastatic cascade does not occur in isolation but occur in a continuous and interdependent process.

Peritoneal Cancer Progression

1. At first, the tumour cells from the primary organ must break away from the primary tumour mass and gain access to the peritoneal cavity.

2. Then, the tumour cells free to disseminate around the peritoneal cavity.

3. There are many factors that determine the final destination of these tumour cells.

i. Gravity

ii. Movement of the abdominal viscera

iii. Flow of ascetic fluid

4. The tumour cells will first enter the innermost layer of peritoneum which is our mesothelium.

5. Next, the tumour cells will attach to the mesothelium.

6. Consequently, the mesothelial monolayer and its basement membrane will penetrate to the submesothelial connective tissue. The penetration provides the chance to the tumour cells to access to the submesothelial connective tissue too.

7. Continuously, the invasion of the underlying connective tissue gives the necessary scaffold for tumour proliferation and provides tumour-stromal interaction.

8. The discrete metastatic tumour deposit starts to establish.

9. Finally, the induction of angiogenesis to sustain tumour proliferation has enabled the further metastatic growth of peritoneal cancer cells.

In conclusion, peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer that still needs a lot of research for further understanding. I decide to write about it in Cytogenetics and Cancer Research blog because it is interesting to look on. I will try to find out more information about peritoneal cancer and write it out here. Stay tuned!