Transcoelomic Metastasis

Synonyms

Peritoneal dissemination; Transabdominal metastasis; Transabdominal dissemination

Definition

Dissemination or spread of malignant tumor throughout the peritoneal (abdominal and pelvic) cavity.

Characteristics

Transcoelomic (meaning “across the peritoneal cavity”) metastasis refers to the dissemination of malignant tumors throughout the surfaces and organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavity covered by peritoneum. Transcoelomic metastasis can occur as a result of invasion into the peritoneal cavity by: (i) a primary cancer arising from within the abdominal/pelvic cavity e.g. ovarian cancer; (ii) as a manifestation of systemic metastasis following haematogenous or lymphatic invasion by a primary cancer e.g. advanced breast cancer; or (iii) following intraperitoneal seeding during surgical manipulation e.g. during surgical resection of a colorectal tumor.

The incidence of transcoelomic metastasis is higher with tumors that arise from the peritoneal