Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma, an extremely rare malignancy: A case report and review of the literature

Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is an extremely rare malignancy that was first described in 1959. This type of cancer arises from the peritoneal epithelium and is similar to serous ovarian carcinoma. A diagnosis of PPSC is typically made based on the Gynecology Oncology Group criteria; however, a correct differential diagnosis of PPSC is difficult preoperatively. The current study describes the case of a 66 year-old female patient presenting with abdomen distension. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed abundant ascites in the abdominal cavity and omental infiltration. The results of positron emission tomography/CT showed hot uptake in the greater omentum. Furthermore, preoperative serum cancer antigen-125 levels were 1,032 U/ml. Upon surgical exploration, a whitish mass and nodule were found in the greater omentum. Therefore, omentectomy was performed. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed a diagnosis of PPSC. PPSC is extremely rare with few cases cited in the current literature. The present study describes a rare case of PPSC with a review of the literature.