Abstract
The peritoneal cavity is vulnerable to the implantation of cancer cells that have escaped from a primary tumor into the peritoneal cavity. Although peritoneal metastases have been assumed classically to occur at random in every portion of the peritoneal membrane, they actually occur at anatomically or physiologically preferred sites, such as the greater omentum, diaphragm, and pelvic peritoneum [1]. An important function of the peritoneum is associated with the lymphatic system of the peritoneal cavity that helps to maintain its homeostasis [2]. In the greater omentum there are many omentum-associated lymphoid tissues (OALT), known as milky spots. The OALT acts a filter through which lymph and various substances are rapidly taken up, and it participates in the immune defense of the peritoneal cavity [3]. The OALT also plays an important role in the initial stages of peritoneal carcinomatosis.
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© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston
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Shimotsuma, M., Shirasu, M., Hagiwara, A., Takahashi, T. (1996). Role of omentum-associated lymphoid tissue in the progression of peritoneal carcinomatosis. In: Sugarbaker, P.H. (eds) Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Principles of Management. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 82. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1247-5_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1247-5_9
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