NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Diya TV) — A Yale surgeon and AIIMS graduate has helped create new national guidelines that could change how doctors treat a group of rare but serious abdominal cancers. Dr. Kiran Turaga, chief of surgical oncology at Yale School of Medicine, led the development of updated clinical guidelines for peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs).
These cancers affect the lining of the abdomen and often spread from the colon, stomach, ovaries, or appendix. The new guidelines were released June 25–26 and published in the medical journals Cancer and Annals of Surgical Oncology. The effort brought together over 500 experts and institutions from across the country.
Peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs) are aggressive cancers that develop on the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Each year, about 70,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with peritoneal metastases—cancer that spreads to this area—from colorectal, gastric, ovarian, or appendiceal cancers.
These cancers are hard to treat and often lead to poor outcomes. Many patients don’t receive care based on the latest science, which can vary from one hospital to another. The new national guidelines aim to change that.
“They give us a way to bring consistency and the best possible care to patients across the country,” Dr. Turaga said in a statement from Yale School of Medicine. “This is a major step forward for people facing these difficult cancers.”
The guidelines represent a massive collaboration. Physicians, nurses, patient advocacy groups, and researchers from around the world all played a role. The new standards build on the 2018 Chicago consensus, an earlier effort to improve care for these patients. But the latest version is broader in scope and reflects the latest research.
Dr. Turaga and his team spent over a year gathering feedback, reviewing data, and writing the new recommendations. Experts in medical oncology, surgery, pathology, and radiology all contributed. The process was designed to reflect a wide range of experiences and viewpoints.
“This is not just one institution or a small group making decisions,” said Turaga. “It’s the voice of the entire cancer community.”
Before these guidelines, treatment for peritoneal cancers varied widely. Some doctors used chemotherapy alone. Others combined surgery with heated chemotherapy, a complex method called HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy). But there was little agreement on when or how to use these treatments. Now, doctors have a roadmap.
The guidelines outline how to diagnose, stage, and treat each type of peritoneal cancer. They include detailed recommendations on imaging, surgery, and systemic therapy. The goal is to help doctors make informed choices that match each patient’s needs. Experts say the changes could lead to earlier diagnoses, better survival rates, and improved quality of life.
While the guidelines focus on U.S. patients, their impact could reach far beyond. Doctors in other countries often look to U.S. standards when shaping their treatment plans. The collaborative nature of the project means many of the recommendations are already informed by international best practices.
Dr. Turaga, who completed his medical training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, sees this work as deeply personal.
“Coming from India and now working in the U.S., I know how important it is to share knowledge across borders,” he said. “Cancer doesn’t care where you live. Our fight against it must be global.”
For patients and families facing peritoneal cancers, the new guidelines offer hope. Clearer treatment paths can lead to better outcomes and fewer unanswered questions. Hospitals can now work from the same playbook, ensuring more patients get the care they need, no matter where they live.
As Dr. Turaga puts it: “This is about making sure every patient has a fighting chance.”
