Establishment of a peritoneal malignancy treatment centre in the United Kingdom

The development, funding and early treatment outcomes of a centre for the assessment and management of a rare tumour is outlined. Central government funding, as obtained from the National Health Service in this instance, is optimal to allow service development and outcome assessment. The initiation and development of a new specialized service is probably best approached by focusing on a condition that is rare, with a reasonable number of cases and good outcomes. This report reviews an experience focusing on "pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin" with an estimated annual incidence of one per million per year. The experience of a colorectal unit in structuring a national centre is reviewed in an attempt to document the development, funding and resources required to initiate and maintain a unit. The surgical skill, with its associated learning curve, and some early results of treatment are presented with the hope that such an experience may be of help to others.