Historically, peritoneal pseudomyxoma has always been discovered in very advanced stages of the disease. The mucin (gelatin) produced by the tumor accumulates over many months, sometimes years. The impression a person has is that they are gaining weight, and it is not uncommon for them to try some type of diet—obviously without success.
Also read: Is pseudomyxoma considered cancer?
The patient seeks a doctor when the volume of the abdomen is large and difficulties in breathing and eating arise, along with diffuse and constant pain.
This overall picture has changed a lot in recent years, especially in the last ten years. Today, the use of imaging exams is more widespread. It is normal for people to undergo an abdominal ultrasound every year (especially women), or even more sophisticated tests like CT scans or MRIs.
In our experience, we have had patients who discovered pseudomyxoma after having an MRI to investigate back pain, or after a CT scan requested by a urologist to investigate a kidney stone.
When the disease is discovered this way, through exams requested for another reason, the tendency is to make the diagnosis at a much earlier stage of the disease, facilitating treatment.
One last situation worth mentioning is that of patients who discover pseudomyxoma after being operated on for suspected appendicitis, that infection of the appendix that needs to be treated with emergency surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon ends up discovering the mucin inside the abdominal cavity.
If you have diagnosed peritoneal pseudomyxoma in one of the last two situations described, exams requested for another cause or surgery for suspected appendicitis, know that there is an excellent possibility that a relatively early diagnosis has been made, and the chances of success in treatment are great.
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