Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index
Also written as: PCI — Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index
Standardized scoring system quantifying the extent of peritoneal surface malignancy distribution.
Full Definition
The Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) is a validated scoring system developed by Sugarbaker to quantify the distribution and size of peritoneal tumor deposits. The abdomen is divided into 13 regions, each scored 0-3 based on tumor size (0=no tumor, 1=<0.5cm, 2=0.5-5cm, 3=>5cm). The maximum score is 39. PCI is crucial for determining candidacy for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, with scores typically under 15-20 considered favorable for aggressive surgical intervention. This scoring system helps standardize patient selection and predict outcomes across institutions.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify whether PCI was determined radiographically or intraoperatively, as scores may differ.
In Context
- "Intraoperative assessment revealed a PCI score of 12, indicating favorable disease distribution for cytoreductive surgery." — operative report
- "The patient's preoperative imaging suggested a PCI score exceeding 25, making them unsuitable for aggressive surgical intervention." — multidisciplinary consultation