Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Cytoreductive peritonectomy with hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an established therapy for patients with gastrointestinal, gynaecological metastasised peritoneal carcinomatosis as well as primary peritoneal carcinomatous tumours.
METHODS:
On the basis of a literature review and our personal experience, selection criteria for peritonectomy are discussed.
RESULTS:
Computed tomography (CT) scans and diagnostic laparoscopy are not sufficient for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The combination of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and CT seems to be the most reliable diagnostic imaging method. In our institution, all patients undergo PET / CT prior to peritonectomy.
CONCLUSION:
The PET / CT scan may play an important role in forecasting the operability of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.