Peritoneal Cancer most likely recurrent metastatic prostate carcinoma

Hello “TCUMom061”

 If you consult the MAYO CLINIC site http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/basics/definition/con-20029597, you will find basic information on Prostate cancer.  It will give a guide as to the definition, treatment, stages, etc.  For instance, I see the following statement—““…Complications of prostate cancer and its treatments include:  Cancer that spreads (metastasizes). Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs, such as your bladder, or travel through your bloodstream or lymphatic system to your bones or other organs. 

 Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones can cause pain and broken bones. Once prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body, it may still respond to treatment and may be controlled, but it's unlikely to be cured…”

 I do know that anytime a cancer metastasizes to another major organ, it will be classified as a Stage IV cancer. 

 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/multimedia/prostate-cancer-stages/img-20008555

 “Your prostate cancer's stage indicates the size and extent of your cancer. A lower stage indicates cancer is confined to the prostate. A higher stage indicates cancer has grown to invade nearby tissue or spread to distant areas of the body…”

 While not having done any extensive searches on Prostate cancer, I can see by the Mayo Clinic site that it is altogether possible that it can travel to lots of places in the abdomen.  So perhaps you could start your search by looking at links that tell about Peritoneal Cancer.  That should give you a better understanding of what your Father—in-law is up against.  As the Mayo article states, once Prostate cancer has metastasized (spread) it may still respond to treatment and may be controlled, but it's unlikely to be cured…”

 This link from the American Cancer Society will define specifically the stages of Prostate Cancer.  http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-staging

 While they say it usually spreads to the bones, it may also spread to the lungs or the Liver.  I know this is not what you want to hear, but as the daughter-in-law, you’re going to, no doubt, be wanting to know all you can, as evidenced by your letter here.  I’m sorry I can’t be of any real help except to say it is entirely possible according to the Mayo site and the ACS site that Prostate cancer can very well spread to other organs in the abdomen. 

 This site http://www.medicinenet.com/prostate_cancer/article.htm

 Has extensive information on Prostate cancer, its symptoms, treatments and where it can spread. 

 The NIH site has good info as well on Prostate cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate

 Needless to say, I wish I could be more helpful, but I find that in all the links Prostate Cancer can spread to other organs and at that stage, it becomes Stage IV.  I do always recommend a SECOND opinion when one has been diagnosed with cancer of any kind.  Every doctor is not an expert in every field.  Some really are more knowledgeable, gifted and experienced than others.  I hope your father-in-law is receiving the best of care, and knowing what treatments are available will enable you to make that judgment.

 Sincerely,

 Loretta – Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

 P.S.  The sites listed above described Prostate cancer, and explain that indeed it can spread to other organs in the body.  In that Case the primary source of your Father-in-law’s cancer, the Prostate, his diagnosis will carry the name “Prostate Cancer with Metastasis to the Peritoneum.  It will not lose the designation of the primary source, but it will now name the location to which it has spread.

 So I will put a link here from WebMD that explains the “metastatic” possibilities.  And since you state that Peritoneal Cancer has now entered the picture, I will put some rather “exhaustive” commentaries and a good video explaining just what the PERITONEUM is and what organs are found therein.  If you have “all day” you will understand better how the cancerous cells can easily pass onto another part of the abdomen, since the Prostate lies within the abdominal wall that is surrounded by the Peritoneum.  But it is better understood by looking at the “teaching video” explaining just what purpose the Peritoneum serves.  There is a difference between “Primary Peritoneal Cancer” and Peritoneal Cancer as I understand it.  So if you take a look at the individual references, particularly the diagrams, you will see how the cancerous cells found first in the Prostate gland itself could easily migrate further up and infiltrate other organs within the abdominal wall. 

 So here are some very informative links that will possibly give you a better understanding of what your FIL has going on inside his body.

 In my case, the cancer was first discovered when I had a CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis.  Not until I had a 2^nd opinion at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center did a PET/CT scan and exploratory surgery reveal that my ovaries were cancerous as well.  So perhaps my primary cancer was in the ovaries and had spread to the Peritoneal fluid in my abdomen.  Nevertheless, at that stage, it was Stage IV.  There can be “palliative” measures taken, but there will be no treatment that will guarantee that my cancer has been eliminated forever.  The best I can hope for are periods of remission in between new growths of cancer. 

 So as you look at the diagram of the Peritoneum and the definitions of both Peritoneal Cancer and Prostate cancer, you can readily see how cancer cells could easily migrate from the Prostate to another organ within the abdomen. 

 1.   http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/metastatic-prostate-cancer
Metastatic Prostate Cancer

  “Metastatic prostate cancer is prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped organ located below a man's bladder. It produces fluid for semen.

 The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. But things such as age and family history increase a man's risk for this disease.

  Metastatic prostate cancer may not cause symptoms. It may be discovered in exams and tests that are part of follow-up care for another health condition. Symptoms may include bone pain, weight loss, or swelling in the legs and feet.

  Prostate cancer usually is a disease of older men. Bone scans may be used to discover metastatic prostate cancer, which often appears in bones. Other tests that may be used to find out the extent of metastatic prostate cancer include CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans.

  Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer focuses on relieving symptoms and slowing the rate at which the cancer spreads. Treatment may include hormone therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. In some cases, taking part in a clinical trial of a new treatment may be an option.

  ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerChristopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology

 Current as ofNovember 14, 2014”

 2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo3jDAXR_Ww

 This is a video explaining the location of the “Peritoneum”. 

 Published on Sep 15, 2012

3.   http://www.anatomyzone.com

 Anatomy tutorial explaining the basics of the peritoneal cavity using the Zygote Body Browser (http://www.zygotebody.com).

"Welcome to TeachMeSurgery - TeachMeSurgery is a comprehensive encyclopedia on surgery, presented in a visually appealing, easy-to-read format.  Created by a team of doctors and medical students, each topic combines structured surgical knowledge with high-yield clinical pearls, seamlessly bridging the gap between scholarly learning and improved patient care.

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 5.  http://teachmeanatomy.info/abdomen/areas/peritoneal-cavity/

 The peritoneum is a continuous transparent membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs (or viscera).

 It acts to support the viscera, and provides a pathway for blood vessels and lymph. In this article, we shall look at the structure of the peritoneum, the organs that are covered by it, and its clinical correlations.

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