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Peritoneal metastases in children with cancer
Author(s) -
Kaste Sue C.,
Marieyssa,
Fryrear Ray,
Hedlund Gary L.,
Jones Luann,
Poe Debbie,
Jenkins Jesse J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19980715)83:2<385::aid-cncr25>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - medicine , radiology , leiomyosarcoma , cancer , metastasis , primary tumor
Abstract BACKGROUND This study attempted to evaluate the childhood malignancies associated with computed tomography (CT) detected peritoneal metastases as well as the diagnostic imaging characteristics of these metastases as shown on CT. METHODS The authors reviewed all available pathology specimens and abdominopelvic CT scans of patients identified as having peritoneal metastases at three childhood cancer centers. Patient demographics, primary diagnosis, and CT characteristics of such metastases were evaluated. RESULTS Peritoneal metastases were identified by CT in 32 children with cancer either at diagnosis (n = 20) or up to 6.2 years from diagnosis (n = 12). On CT, peritoneal disease appeared as a mass in 26 cases, as studding in 11 cases, as peritoneal enhancement in 15 cases, and as diffuse caking in 4 cases (15 patients had > 1 category of peritoneal metastasis). Thirteen patients had concurrent metastases in other sites. Fourteen patients died of progressive disease at a median of 10 months from the time peritoneal metastases were identified on CT. At last follow‐up, the remaining 18 patients were alive, with follow‐up ranging from 1 month to 9.7 years. As expected, peritoneal metastases were identified in patients with germ cell tumors and colon carcinoma. However, they also were observed in patients with epithelioid carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, pineoblastoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma, and peripheral neuroectodermal tumor. CONCLUSIONS Peritoneal metastases have variable appearance on CT, but most commonly appear mass‐like. They are associated with a wider range of primary diagnoses than reported previously. The outcome varies with the type of the primary tumor and its responsiveness to existing therapies. Cancer 1998;83:385‐390. © 1998 American Cancer Society.