Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy plus Neoadjuvant Intraperitoneal and Systemic Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer with Malignant Ascites

Abstract

Abstract Background: Patients with gastric cancer (GC) and malignant ascites (MA) usually have poor outcomes and a high risk of recurrence and mortality, even after curative gastrectomy or chemotherapy. Systemic chemotherapy has been prescribed for patients with GC and MA; however, most of these patients expire within 1 year. Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (LHIPEC) plus neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) in the outcomes of GC patients with MA. Methods: We enrolled 62 patients with GC and MA between January 1, 2016, and March 1, 2021. Four patients were excluded because of extraperitoneal metastasis, and two patients were ineligible. A total of 56 patients underwent biweekly staging laparoscopy and LHIPEC with NIPS. We also performed staging laparoscopy to evaluate the effectiveness of LHIPEC + NIPS. Results: The mean survival time of the 56 patients was 20.8 months. The overall complication rate was 33.93%. After the LHIPEC + NIPS intervention, the peritoneal cancer index score (P < 0.001), ascites volume (P = 0.003), and cytology (P < 0.001) significantly improved compared to before the intervention; quality of life (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) was also better than before the intervention (P = 0.002), and no discomfort was noted postintervention. Conclusion: LHIPEC + NIPS is feasible for the treatment of GC with MA and may improve patients’ quality of life.