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Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) for Quantitation of Abdominal and Pelvic Metastases on CT Scan

Purpose: To measure the extent of metastatic tumors in the abdomen and pelvis on CT scan using the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI).

Description

The Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) is a method of measuring the amount and distribution of metastatic tumor in the peritoneal cavity on CT scans. The index is based on tumor extent  in 13 separate regions. The authors are from the Washington Cancer Institute in Washington, DC.


Regions – 13:

(1) abdominal and pelvic: 9

(2) small intestine: 4

 

Abdominal and pelvic regions - divided by 4 lines:

(1) sagittal line through left midclavicular line

(2) sagittal line through right midclavicular line

(3) horizontal line through the lowest extent of the ribs (10th)

(4) horizontal line through the anterior superior iliac spines

 

Region

Description

0

central (periumbilical)

1

right upper

2

epigastrium

3

left upper

4

left flank

5

left lower

6

pelvis

7

right lower

8

right flank

9

upper jejunum

10

lower jejunum

11

upper ileum

12

lower ileum

 

 

Lesion Size

Points

no tumor seen

0

tumors < 0.5 cm

1

tumors >= 0.5 and <= 5 cm

2

tumors > 5 cm

3

confluent tumors

3

 

peritoneal tumor index =

= SUM(points for all 13 regions)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 39

• The higher the score, the more extensive the tumor.


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10