Cytologic study of peritoneal washings obtained at the time of
laparotomy was performed for 54 patients with gastrointestinal malig
nant lesions. The locations of the tumours were as follows: 16 gas-trie cancers, 14 pancreatic, 13 colonic, 9 rectal, 1 bile duct and I small
intestine. Malignant cells were detected in the peritoneal washings of 9
out of the 54 patients ( 17% ) . The data reported suggest
that peritoneal wahings cytology is a good predictor of prognosis for
patients with gastrointestinal malignant lesions . The survival of pa
tients with negative cytology was significantly longer than that reported
in patients with positive cytology.
Peritoned fluid cytology may serve as an indication for more inten
sive therapy. |
