Felipe's Case
A mistaken diagnosis of terminal colon cancer that a second opinion revealed to be pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare disease treatable with specialized surgery.
Testimony of Luis, Felipe's son
Luis recounts how, after years of follow-up for an appendix tumour, his father Felipe was diagnosed with colon cancer with peritoneal metastases and a terminal prognosis. Before starting very aggressive chemotherapy, the family sought a second opinion with specialists in peritoneal diseases. The diagnosis was different: pseudomyxoma peritonei, treatable with surgery.
- History of an appendix tumour operated on years earlier
- Mistaken diagnosis: colon cancer with peritoneal metastases
- Terminal prognosis and aggressive chemotherapy already planned
- Second opinion with peritoneal surface specialists
- Correct diagnosis: pseudomyxoma peritonei
- Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC and full recovery
When a second opinion changes the diagnosis
Felipe's story began ten years ago, when he had surgery for a tumour in his appendix. For a long time it was interpreted as the start of colon cancer. Years later, his tumour markers began to rise and a new diagnosis was issued along the same lines: colon cancer with peritoneal metastases. However, the tests showed no tumour in the colon.
Faced with a prognosis presented as terminal and very aggressive chemotherapy about to begin, his son Luis decided to research everything he could and look for the leading specialists in peritoneal diseases before making any decision. That search led them to the team at Quenet Torrent Institute.
After repeating and reviewing the tests, Dr. Juan José Torrent reached a different diagnosis: this was not a metastasis from colon cancer, but pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare disease that occurs in very few cases and is often confused with carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. The difference was decisive: pseudomyxoma peritonei is treatable, in selected cases, with surgery.
Treatment consisted of cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC: a long, meticulous operation to remove all visible disease from the peritoneum, followed by heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy applied during the same surgery to eliminate the microscopic remnants that cannot be removed by hand. The goal is to leave the least possible trace of disease and prevent it from regenerating.
Recovery from such a surgery is hard, but the close, personal follow-up from the team accompanied Felipe every step of the way. Six months after the operation, Felipe is, in his son's words, stronger than ever: he plays tennis and wins every match.
"A wrong diagnosis would have been dramatic. In ten minutes they gave us great peace of mind and also hope. It was a solution that saved a life." Luis, Felipe's son
The advice Luis shares from his experience is clear: when facing a difficult diagnosis, seek information and don't freeze. No doctor can be a specialist in every disease, and a second opinion at a centre with specific experience can make the difference between palliative treatment and treatment with curative intent.
Medical team that treated Felipe
Internationally renowned oncological surgeons in pseudomyxoma peritonei, peritoneal carcinomatosis and HIPEC
Dr. Juan José Torrent
Oncological Surgeon
Specialist in complex oncological surgery with over 20 years of experience. Expert in peritoneal carcinomatosis, pseudomyxoma peritonei and HIPEC.
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Dr. François Quenet
Oncological Surgeon
International leader in cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. Pioneer in techniques that have revolutionized the treatment of peritoneal surface disease.
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