What is wrong with my patient??

My understanding is that intraperitoneal carcinomatosis is metastasis from either a digestive or respiratory organ. Since she has tumor implants (sounds like) pretty much in most of the abdominal areas it would indicate that these are metastatic tumors. Sounds like the doc suspects ovarian as the primary site since she has a large concentration of tumor in the pelvis, but he's not sure yet. He won't really know what the primary site is until the pathology report comes back. Tumor implants often are secondary tumors or metastasis from some primary site.

9/28/05. . .I've been thinking on this a little overnight. This patient does have a history of lung cancer, doesn't she? I'll bet her doctor is thinking of mets to the abdomen which is why he has the pre-op diagnosis as carcinomatosis. He's proabably a little stumped by the amount of cancer found in the pelvis and is wondering if there is a second primary cancer going on in the ovaries because lung CA doesn't usually spread to the ovary.

Hey all,

I need some help. This may be a stupid question but I was just wondering if you guys could help. My pt. this week has a pre op diagnosis of Intraperitoneal carcinomatosis, site unknown. As I have read, I think this means that she has a tumor in abdomen somewhere. As I read on, it says "analyses showed that she had an andenocarcinoma...and There was diffuse peritoneal tumor implants throught all surfaces of the peritoeal cavity. the greatest concentration of the thumor material was in the pelvis. The sigmoid colon in the pelvis appeared to be encased with tumor or not obstructed. the omentum was involved in large cakes of tumor across its whole length. There were segrments of the ascending colon that were adherent to the omentum". Earlier on another report it says "ovarian cancer is suspected". So I was just wondering what cancer my patient actually has...colon cancer? cancer in the perionteal cavity? Cancer of the omentum, that was also mentioned...im confused;)

77 y/o female.She also has a hx of UL lung cancer (undercontrol), COPD, HTN, CAD, PAD, Vertigo and ARTH. She is also slightly anorexic. She will be post op day 4 from a total omentectomy, tumor debulking

I was thinking the the most important nursing dx were (in order from 1. most important and 4

1. Ineffective breathing pattern related to decreased lung exapnsion

2.Ineffective Tissue perfusion as related to immobility

3. Risk for infection as related to surgery

4.Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than body requirements as related to primary diagnosis

Do you guys think that about covers it? She is a full code.

I tried going to web md but when I put in her pre op and post op diagnosis it keeps giving me colon cancer, from what ive read it seems like her colon was was in tact and that the tumor was really all over inside her peritoneum..then another page said they were thinking ovarian cancer...am I missing something? Would those be the right ND's for the pt? Thanks for any input guys!!!!!!!

confused with all this nursing stuff :selfbonk:

Hello, ELKMN,:balloons:

I agree with Daytonite regarding the metastatic lesions. The primary lesion probably arose from the ovary/s.

What post op dx did you use?