A type of cancer that appears in the fatty tissue (omentum) that covers all organs in the abdominal area is called omentum cancer. This type of cancer occurs very rarely. Sometimes, people with ovarian or stomach cancer may also develop omentum cancer. It happens because the primary cancer spreads to the nearby tissue (omentum). While the primary treatment is surgery to remove the tumor, doctors may also recommend other treatments.
Furthermore, this fatty tissue (omentum) begins in the stomach and wraps over the intestines. The cancer rarely develops in the omentum. In most cases, it spreads from another part of the body (metastasizes). Usually, people with stomach or ovarian cancer are at increased risk of developing omental tumors.
However, healthcare professionals do not fully understand the function of this fatty tissue, but it drapes over areas of inflammation, which helps promote healing after an infection or other health problems.
Generally, this type of cancer occurs very rarely, and experts have reported only 42 cases.
Types of Omentum Cancer
Experts have divided this type of cancer into several types. For example:
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Liposarcoma
- Solitary fibrous tumors
- Extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Symptoms
While usually omentum cancer does not cause any symptoms, some people may experience the following ones. Check below some examples:
- A solid mass in the abdominal area
- Belly (abdominal) pain
- Constipation
- Early satiety (inability to eat a full meal)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal distention (swelling in the abdomen)
- Unusual weight loss
If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms listed above, immediately contact a healthcare professional.
Causes and Risk Factors
Healthcare providers do not fully understand what exactly causes this type of cancer. In general, all types of cancer begin to appear due to DNA mutations (changes) that make the cells grow and multiply abnormally. However, they have identified some factors that may contribute to omentum cancer. Examples include:
- Age – The risk of developing omentum cancer increases with aging.
- Environmental factors – Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke or other chemicals may also increase the risk.
- Family history – If you have a parent or sibling with cancer, your risk of developing it significantly increases.
- Genetics – There are some genes that may be passed from the biological parents or develop changes during pregnancy, which increase your cancer risk.
- Lifestyle – Misuse of alcoholic beverages, low-fiber diets, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking can also contribute to omental tumors.
Complications
People who develop omentum cancer may also develop some complications, especially if they do not have symptoms or do not get treatment. Check below some examples:
- Ascites (buildup of fluid in the abdominal area), which may lead to shortness of breath, bloating, urinary or bowel blockages, pain, inability to eat, and other symptoms.
- Bowel obstruction – If the tumor becomes large, it may put pressure on or wrap around the intestines, which leads to blockages.
- Nutritional problems – When the bowels are not working properly, they affect the ability to absorb nutrients.
- Urinary blockages – Some people may develop a tumor near the ureters (tubes that carry the urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and block the urine flow.
- Abdominal rupture – In more severe cases, the tumor can burst inside the abdominal cavity. It allows the cancer to spread to other parts of the body.
- Increased risk of infections
This document does not contain a complete list of complications. However, you can consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or even prevent the previous complications.
How to Prevent Omentum Cancer?
In general, this type of cancer cannot be prevented, but you can take steps to reduce the risk. Check below some of them:
- Manage chronic health conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and others)
- Adopt a nutritious diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
- Regularly exercise – It is recommended to aim for 30 minutes of physical exercise per day, at least 5 days a week.
- Limit intake of processed foods and alcohol
- Stop smoking – If you have problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
Diagnosis
Usually, doctors begin the diagnosis with a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to the disease (such as a painful mass in the abdominal area). They may also ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history to get more information about your condition. However, to confirm or rule out this type of cancer, doctors usually perform the following imaging tests. For example:
- CT (computerized tomography) scans (with or without contrast dye)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
- Ultrasounds
Once you are diagnosed with this type of cancer, physicians may perform additional imaging tests to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. It helps make the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment
The primary treatment for omentum cancer is surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. However, doctors may recommend other treatments. These include:
- Chemotherapy – This is a cancer treatment that involves strong medicines to destroy cancerous cells. Doctors may prescribe this treatment before surgery to shrink a large tumor or after surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain even after a successful surgery.
- Radiation therapy – This treatment involves powerful energy beams that are directed to the tumor to destroy it. This energy often comes from X-rays or protons, but it may also come from other sources.
- Perioperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) – This treatment involves heated chemotherapy medicines that are placed in the abdominal area to circulate for short periods.
Furthermore, if you have developed omental tumors due to other types of cancer, you may need debulking surgery. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all visible tumors (larger than 1 centimeter). In some cases, surgeons may remove all of the omentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cancer of the omentum curable?
Yes, especially if it is found in the early stages. However, if you develop an aggressive form of omentum cancer, it may be more difficult to treat. Furthermore, small tumors are less likely to return.
What is the life expectancy of someone with omentum cancer?
In general, the survival rate for primary omentum cancer is poor. The median survival rate is about 6 months, and about 10% to 20% of people survive two years after surgery. The prognosis of this type of cancer depends on the location, size, and severity of the tumor and other factors.
Can I live without my omentum?
Yes, people can live without omentum because the body has multiple systems that compensate for its function. The procedure through which the omentum is removed is called omentectomy. Some people may experience temporary adverse reactions after surgery. For example, fluid retention, pain, tenderness, and others. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
