Appendiceal mucocele can cause Pseudomyxoma Peritonei!

The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the interior of the abdomen and all the organs located in this region of the body. When a mucinous tumor develops in the peritoneum, the disease is called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei.

Continue reading to learn more about what this disease is and how Appendiceal Mucocele can cause Pseudomyxoma Peritonei:

What is Pseudomyxoma Peritonei?

It is a rare type of tumor characterized by the accumulation of mucin (a type of mucus or gel) in the abdomen, generated by tumors known as mucinous tumors. Pseudomyxoma Peritonei can be caused by several factors, with a tumor in the cecal appendix being the primary cause.

What is appendiceal mucocele?

Appendiceal mucocele is the dilation that occurs in the appendix, caused by the accumulation of mucus. This condition happens due to the presence of a tumor within the walls of the appendix, which become increasingly thin as the accumulation of mucoid secretion increases and the dilation of the organ grows.

When appendiceal mucocele is untreated, it can lead to perforation of the appendix due to the dilation that thins the walls of the organ. The result of this perforation is the circulation of mucin and tumor cells throughout the abdominal region, causing the accumulation of mucin known as Pseudomyxoma Peritonei. Therefore, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is, in itself, a complication of Appendiceal Mucocele.

Does pseudomyxoma have a cure?

For operable cases, the treatment for curing Pseudomyxoma Peritonei involves surgery to remove visible tumors, followed by the administration of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, known as HIPEC, which occurs directly in the abdominal area to effectively target tumor sites.

The cytoreduction surgery is performed through an incision (laparotomy) in the abdominal area and lasts about 12 hours. Although it is one of the largest surgical procedures, cytoreduction has a mortality risk of less than 5% when performed in experienced centers.
So, yes, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei can be cured. And despite being a rare disease, there are specialized medical teams prepared to provide specific treatment for their patients. For more information, please get in touch.