Peritoneal carcinomatosis in urinary bladder cancer

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Urology

Background:

• Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a significant predictor of poor prognosis in cancer patients.
• Urinary bladder cancer can metastasize to the peritoneum, impacting treatment strategies.
• Accurate detection of peritoneal involvement is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer.
• To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of peritoneal spread in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of CT scans from 105 patients with urinary bladder cancer.
• Analysis of imaging for peritoneal implants, ascites, solid organ metastases, and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy.
• Correlation with surgical history and follow-up data.

Main Results:

• Peritoneal carcinomatosis was identified in 8 (7.6%) of the reviewed patients.
• Patterns of peritoneal involvement included diffuse disease (3 patients) and focal implants (5 patients).
• Associated findings included liver metastases (2 patients) and distant implants (pleural, adrenal).

Conclusions:

• CT is valuable in detecting peritoneal carcinomatosis in urinary bladder cancer.
• Preoperative identification of peritoneal involvement can guide treatment, potentially avoiding aggressive surgery.
• The presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis indicates a poor prognosis, necessitating careful management planning.