Primary peritoneal cancer

Definition of primary peritoneal cancer

primary peritoneal cancer

(PRY-mayr-ee PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in the peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers organs in the abdomen), and has not spread there from another part of the body. Primary peritoneal cancer sometimes spreads to the ovary. It is similar to ovarian epithelial cancer and is staged and treated the same way.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms