EXTRAOVARIAN PRIMARY PERITONEAL CARCINOMA

Extraovarian primary peritoneal carcinoma (EOPPC) a relatively newly d efined disease that develops only in women, accounts for approximately 10% of eases with ct presumed diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Characteri zed by abdominal carcinomatosis, uninvolved or minimally involved ovar ies, and no identifiable primary, EOPPC has been reported following bi lateral oophorectomy performed for benign disease or prophylaxis. Most cases are of serous histology; however; nonserous tumors have been ob served. Although EOPPC is similar to serous ovarian carcinoma with res pect to clinical presentation, histologic appearance, and response to chemotherapy, molecular and epidemiologic studies have indicated that it may be a separate entity. This review explores the clinical present ation, management, prognosis, and survival of EOPPC.