Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma

Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC), also commonly called primary peritoneal cancer, often presents with clinical features identical to advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). The diagnosis is made only after a laparotomy. The main differentiating feature is advanced peritoneal involvement with tumour without gross involvement of the ovaries. In the absence of any randomised trials, the management of PPSC is very similar to that of EOC, with primary debulking surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The prognosis appears to be related to the volume of residual disease, with minimal disease providing a longer disease free interval.