Diane has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called primary peritoneal cancer (PPC). The peritoneum is a sheet of tissue that covers the surface of organs in the abdomen. It supports these organs and prevents them from sticking to each other. This particular cancer manifests as several small nodule growths that are spread throughout the peritoneum. In Diane's specific case, a large portion of these nodules are contained within the omentum, a apron-like organ that sits in front of the belly. The omentum is sort of like an appendix, in that you don't particularly need it, and can be removed with little biological impact.

The cells of the peritoneum are the same as those that line the surface of the ovaries, and as such PPC is contained under the ovarian cancer umbrella, and is treated in a similar manner. However, this initial diagnosis was brought under question, as results of the cancer marker test came back with elevated levels of ovarian and colon markers. To rule out colon-related cancer Diane underwent a just-in-case colonoscopy. The results came back negative, so its all systems go for ovarian chemotherapy.  

The oncologist has prescribed a triplet of triweekly intravenous chemotheropy (three treatments; one every three weeks). Diane will then have a CT (computed tomography) scan, and if the results show sufficient cancer nodule shrinkage, she'll have surgery to remove the omentum and any remaining nodules. Following surgery, she'll have another triweekly chemo triplet, and complete her treatment.