The intraoperative staging systems in the management of peritoneal surface malignancy.

The establishment of a rationale guideline for intraoperative staging system the extent of carcinomatosis is warranted. The quantitation of tumor found at the time of surgical exploration of the abdomen has proven to be of value in assessment of prognosis and treatment planning in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Four different assessments systems have been employed more frequently, thus far. The advantages and disadvantages of each classification systems are described and discussed. The results of the Consensus of the last 5th International Workshop on Peritoneal Surface malignancy of Milan, December 2006 are presented.