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A new study of 1,502 patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer found that those with documented depression or anxiety had longer hospital stays, higher postoperative complication rates, and greater healthcare costs than patients without these diagnoses. The findings suggest mental health screening and supportive care may be an important part of preparing for major cancer surgery, while emphasizing that depression or anxiety should not limit access to potentially cura

The Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation (ACPMP) has awarded a $150,000 Changemaker Research Grant to Mohammad Haroon Choudry, MD, a surgical oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, to support research aimed at overcoming one of the major challenges in treating appendiceal pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). The grant is dedicated in memory of Katie Centorbi and was made possible in collaboration with The Katie Centorbi Foundation. Dr. Mohammad Haroon Choudry Dr. Choudry is al

A new review explores NIPS, an approach that combines chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdominal cavity with systemic treatment for gastrointestinal cancers that have spread to the peritoneum. Paclitaxel-based NIPS has shown the most encouraging results in gastric cancer, with some patients responding enough to become surgical candidates. Research in colorectal and pancreatic cancers is still early, and more studies are needed.

A new MD Anderson study is exploring whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can help personalize chemotherapy before CRS/HIPEC for patients with colorectal or appendiceal cancer that has spread to the peritoneum. Patients with undetectable ctDNA may be able to move to surgery sooner, while those with detectable ctDNA may receive additional chemotherapy. The approach is promising, but the trial is still ongoing and larger studies are needed.

Thank you to all of our event participants, sponsors, and volunteers who made this 17th Annual Golf Outing so successful. We are grateful to everyone who stands with us in this mission. We look forward to seeing you in 2027 for our 18th outing!

After subtle symptoms led to a Stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis with peritoneal involvement, one woman faced chemotherapy, HIPEC surgery, and ongoing targeted therapy. Two years later, she is turning her experience into advocacy—encouraging others to recognize persistent symptoms, ask questions, seek specialized care, and hold onto hope as research and treatment options continue to advance.

New research from MD Anderson explores whether next-generation sequencing (NGS) of fluid collected during peritoneal washing could help improve staging for gastric cancer. By looking for tumor-derived genetic material in the washing fluid, researchers are investigating a potential way to identify microscopic peritoneal spread that may be difficult to detect with imaging or cytology alone. The approach remains investigational but could eventually support more precise treatment

A new study suggests FAPI PET/CT may provide a clearer picture of how ovarian cancer has spread within the abdomen than conventional CT. The scan showed greater sensitivity for detecting peritoneal disease, including in areas that can be difficult to assess before surgery. While more research is needed, improved imaging could help multidisciplinary teams better evaluate disease extent, plan treatment, and identify patients who may benefit from cytoreductive surgery.

By Kirsten Thacker Washington (Editor’s note: In 1994, on her fourth birthday, Kirsten Thacker took a tumble down a flight of stairs. As a result, doctors found and removed a tumorous kidney. She thought she was done with cancer. This is the rest of her story.) Kirsten, as a small child and today My name is Kirsten Thacker. I am 36 years-old, married and living in the state of Washington. In 2022, my husband and I began an egg donor cycle in an attempt to have a child. We rec

A single-center study examined whether bevacizumab could continue during treatment with pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). Among 202 PIPAC procedures in 111 patients, 30-day complications occurred after 5.1% of procedures with bevacizumab and 9.6% without—a difference that was not statistically significant. No deaths, bleeding, perforations, or delayed wound healing occurred. The findings are encouraging, but larger prospective studies are needed before

A U.S. phase I trial evaluated PIPAC with cisplatin and doxorubicin in 15 women with heavily pretreated recurrent ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. The procedure was feasible and generally well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities or grade 4–5 events. Some patients showed disease control inside the abdomen, but progression-free survival was limited. Researchers say larger trials should refine patient selection and combination treatments.

For people with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma treated with CRS/HIPEC, prognosis may improve as more time passes after surgery. A two-center study found that the estimated chance of surviving another five years rose among patients who had already survived several years. Lower tumor burden and avoiding serious complications were associated with longer survival. The findings offer hope, but they cannot predict an individual patient’s outcome.

A new study is helping researchers build a clearer genetic map of peritoneal mesothelioma. An analysis of tumor samples from 192 patients identified recurring changes in BAP1, NF2, TP53, and SETD2—genes involved in DNA repair and controlling cell growth. Although the findings do not change current treatment, they highlight biological pathways that could guide future targeted therapies and clinical trials for this rare cancer.

The Abdominal Cancers Alliance is proud to announce that President and Co-Founder Dr. Armando Sardi will participate in the 5th Latin American Congress on Peritoneal Neoplasms—PSOGI LATAM 2026—in Cartagena, Colombia. Dr. Sardi will moderate a session focused on appendiceal tumors and pseudomyxoma peritonei, joining international experts to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and help advance specialized care for patients with peritoneal cancers.

A Mayo Clinic study found that pancreatic cysts with multiple concerning features may carry a greater risk of progressing to pancreatic cancer or advanced precancerous changes. The three-year risk increased from approximately 2% with one concerning feature to 18% with three or more. The findings may help specialists identify who needs closer monitoring or treatment while allowing patients at lower risk to avoid unnecessary pancreatic surgery.

A small study suggests that early, personalized nutrition support may help patients with pancreatic cancer tolerate more of their prescribed chemotherapy and recover more quickly after surgery. Patients who worked closely with a dietitian had higher chemotherapy completion, shorter hospital stays, and fewer postoperative infections. Although larger studies are needed, the findings support making nutrition an early and ongoing part of pancreatic cancer care.

A study of 101 patients with peritoneal metastases found that long-term survival was possible after cytoreductive surgery, HIPEC, and postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Five-year overall survival reached 62% for patients with appendix cancer and 34% for those with colorectal cancer. The results highlight the importance of specialized evaluation and removing all visible disease, but the study was small, conducted at one center, and did not include a comparison group.

We're proud to share our 2025 Impact Report, highlighting a year of meaningful growth in awareness, connection, and navigation for patients and caregivers facing advanced abdominal cancers. This report reflects the collective impact of our community working together to help more people access the information and specialized care they need.

For people with advanced ovarian cancer, surgery may take place before chemotherapy or after several cycles of treatment. A recent review found that neither approach is best for everyone. The most important goal is safely removing all visible cancer. Treatment timing should be based on the cancer’s location and extent, the patient’s overall health, and the surgical team’s expertise. Evaluation by an experienced gynecologic oncologist can help guide this complex decision.

Recovering from CRS/HIPEC can bring nutrition challenges that patients and caregivers may not expect. In interviews with 20 colorectal cancer survivors and 10 caregivers, researchers found that diarrhea, early fullness, pain, meal preparation, and changing dietary needs can complicate recovery. The study highlights the value of earlier, ongoing, and individualized nutrition support to help patients and caregivers feel better prepared for life after CRS/HIPEC.