Peritoneal metastases in colorectal cancer

Abstract

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a common evolution of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, and has been traditionally regarded as a terminal disease with short median survival. During the last 20 years, due to its favourable oncologic results, a new loco-regional therapeutic approach, combining cytoreductive surgery with intra-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has achieved an important development. After liver metastatic disease, peritoneal carcinomatosis is the second most frequent cause of death in colorectal cancer patient is defined as a stage IV tumour which prognosis is the worst. The extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis is, however, difficult for assessment preoperatively, and precise evaluation is most often performed during surgical exploration. Cytoreductive surgery associated with chemotherapy for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis should be performed in young patients with limited and resectable carcinomatosis, in specialized institutions involved in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies.