Diagnosis and management of peritoneal carcinomatosis arising from adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (the implantation of tumor cells throughout the peritoneal cavity) occurs in as many as 50% of patients with colorectal cancer and in up to 25% is the only site of recurrence. There is increasing evidence that aggressive debulking of peritoneal only disease followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy can have significant impact on the patient's quality and sometimes quantity of life. This chapter will provide an overview of the biologic basis of pathogenesis and the treatment of peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer.