Early Postoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Research Articles

Massive neoplastic ascites

Peritoneal metastases frequently occur in primary or recurrent abdominal malignancy and are often associated with massive ascites, which determines severe abdominal bloating, respiratory distress, and poor quality of life in patients with few months of life. After the failure of traditional medical therapies, simple drainage is effective in providing temporary symptom relief but does not provide a durable solution. Several treatment options are available, but no standard treatment strategy has been established, and none of the treatments consistently showed the ability to extend life expectancy. This review focuses on outcomes and adverse events of simple drainage, catheter placement, intraperitoneal therapy, peritoneovenous shunting, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy, and cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy. The choice between the available options for durable symptom management requires both care and caution in weighing risks and benefits according to the patient’s life expectancy.

Determinants of Outcome with Reoperative Surgery for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei in 186 Patients.

To describe the long-term survival and clinical- and treatment-related variables that determine the outcome of repeat cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for mucinous appendiceal neoplasms with peritoneal dissemination. After patients with peritoneal dissemination of an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm have a CRS, disease progression may require secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCRS) and other treatments performed in a timely manner to prolong survival and help preserve an optimal quality of life. The clinical- and treatment-related variables associated with the index CRS and the SCRS were statistically assessed for their impact on survival. One hundred eighty-six of 687 complete CRS patients (27.1%) had SCRS. The median follow-up was 10 years and the median survival was 12 years. There were 95 males (51%) and the median age was 45.0 years. Survival benefit was associated with the index CRS by use of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) with 5-fluorouracil [Hazard ratio (HR), 0.4; P = 0.0004]. Also, survival of low-grade mucinous appendiceal neoplasms versus mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma (HR, 2.8; P < 0.0001) was improved. The interval between index CRS and SCRS was significant at ≤12 months versus 12-36 months versus >36 months (P < 0.0001). Change in peritoneal cancer index and disease distribution as focal or diffuse was significant by univariant and multivariant analyses. If the CRS was complete, the use of EPIC 5-fluorouracil, the interval between the index CRS and the SCRS, the histologic grade of the mucinous neoplasm, and the extent of recurrent disease were prognostic variables that should be used to help select patients for SCRS.

Can EPIC Be a Low-Cost Alternative to HIPEC in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Resource-Constraint Settings? Experience from Tertiary Care Oncology Center.

Management of advanced ovarian cancer underwent a paradigm shift with advent of cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy requires complex machinery and costly disposables, and increased operative time. Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a relatively less resource-intensive alternative way of intraperitoneal drug delivery. We started our HIPEC programme in 2013. In select cases, we offer EPIC. This study is an audit of outcomes to look into the feasibility of EPIC as alternative to HIPEC. We performed analysis of prospectively maintained database in the Department of Surgical oncology from January 2019 to June 2022. We had 15 patients who underwent CRS + EPIC and 84 CRS+ HIPEC. We did a propensity-matched analysis for demographics, baseline data and PCI and compared 15 CRS + EPIC with 15 CRS + HIPEC patients. We compared the perioperative outcomes-morbidity, mortality, length of ICU and hospital stay. Procedure time was significantly higher in the HIPEC compared to EPIC as HIPEC is an intraoperative procedure. Patients were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for a longer mean duration in HIPEC arm (1.4 + 0.7 days) compared to EPIC arm (1.2 + 0.41 days). Patients in HIPEC arm had a significantly shorter hospital stay (mean 7.93 vs. 9.93 days. Four patients in EPIC arm had Clavien-Dindo grade 3 and 4 morbidity compared to 1 patient in HIPEC arm. Hematological toxicity was more common in EPIC group. CRS with EPIC can be explored as an alternative to HIPEC in centres lacking facilities and expertise for HIPEC.

Overall survival and morbidity are not associated with advanced age for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a single centre experience.

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has enabled better prognosis for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies. However, in older age groups, short -and long-term outcomes are still perceived as poor. We evaluated patients aged 70 and over and determine if age is a predictor of morbidity, mortality and overall survival (OS). A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on CRS/HIPEC patients and categorised by age. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included morbidity, mortality, hospital and incentive care unit (ICU) stay and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC). A total of 1,129 patients were identified with 134 aged 70+ and 935 under 70. There was no difference in OS (p=0.175) or major morbidity (p=0.051). Advanced age was associated with higher mortality (4.48 vs. 1.11 %, p=0.010), longer ICU stay (p<0.001) and longer hospitalisation (p<0.001). The older group was less likely to achieve complete cytoreduction (61.2 vs. 73 %, p=0.004) and receive EPIC (23.9 vs. 32.7 %, p=0.040). In patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC, age of 70 and above does not impact OS or major morbidity but is associated with increased mortality. Age alone should not be a limiting factor in selecting CRS/HIPEC patients. Careful multi-disciplinary approach is needed when considering those of advanced age.

Survival benefits with EPIC in addition to HIPEC for low grade appendiceal neoplasms with pseudomyxoma peritonei: a propensity score matched study.

Appendiceal cancer is a rare malignancy, occurring in roughly 1.2 per 100,000 per year. Low grade appendiceal neoplasams (LAMN) in particular can lead to pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), and respond poorly to systemic chemotherapy. Standard treatment includes cytoreduction surgery (CRS) with addition of heated intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Several centres include early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) however; the literature is mixed on the benefits. We aim to examine the benefits of additional EPIC through a propensity-matched analysis. Patients with LAMN with PMP who underwent cytoreductive surgery at St George hospital between 1996 and 2020 were included in this retrospective analysis. Propensity score matching was performed with the following used to identify matched controls; sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, peritoneal cancer index (PCI) and morbidity grade. Outcomes measured included length of stay and survival. A total of 224 patients were identified of which 52 received HIPEC alone. Propensity matching was performed to identify 52 matched patients who received HIPEC+EPIC. Those receiving HIPEC+EPIC were younger at 54.3 vs. 58.4years (p=0.044). There was a median survival benefit of 34.3months for HIPEC+EPIC (127.3 vs. 93.0months, p=0.02). Median length of stay was higher in those who received EPIC (25.0 vs. 23.5days, p=0.028). In LAMN with PMP, the addition of EPIC to HIPEC with CRS improves overall survival in propensity score matched cases but results in prolonged hospitalisation. The use of EPIC should still be considered in selected patients.

Colorectal cohort analysis from the Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy After Cytoreductive Surgery for Peritoneal Metastasis (ICARuS) clinical trial.

160 Background: ICARuS is a randomized phase II, multicenter trial to evaluate the relative efficacy of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) with mitomycin C vs. Early Postoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (EPIC) with floxuridine (FUDR), after cytoreductive surgery (CRS), for the treatment of peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal (CRC) or appendiceal cancer (AC). PRODIGE7 results failed to demonstrate benefit of HIPEC therapy after complete gross resection of CRC PM, prompting termination of CRC accrual and early cohort analysis. Methods: Patients with isolated, confirmed PM were eligible for 1:1 randomization to CRS plus HIPEC with mitomycin C or CRS plus EPIC with FUDR. Patients were stratified by recent systemic chemotherapy and disease (AC vs. CRC). The trial was originally powered to evaluate 212 patients for a 20% gain in a primary endpoint of 3-year progression free survival (PFS: HR = 1.75). Results: Seventy-five CRC patients were included between 4/2013 and 12/2018 for HIPEC (N = 40) or EPIC (N = 35) treatment. Baseline characteristics were well balanced. After a median follow up of 36 months, the median PFS was 7.7 months (95% CI: 6.3-11.1) in the HIPEC arm and 8.8 months (95% CI: 7.1-21.9) in the EPIC arm, HR = 0.69 (95% CI: 0.42-1.14) p = 0.14. In the 42 left-sided primary cancers, the median PFS was 8.4 months (95% CI: 6.4-17.7) in the HIPEC arm and 12.5 months (95% CI: 8.1-NR) in the EPIC arm, HR = 0.60 (95% CI: 0.29-1.22) p = 0.14. In the 33 right-sided primary cancers, the median PFS was 6.5 months (95% CI: 5.5-14.1) in the HIPEC arm and 8 months (95% CI: 5.8-24.1) in the EPIC arm, HR = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.39-1.64) p = 0.53. PFS was significantly better in the EPIC arm among patients with BRAF wildtype (WT) tumors and patients with higher PM burden (PCI &gt; 7). There was no difference between HIPEC and EPIC in the primary toxicity endpoint of complications grade 3 or above (23 vs. 34%, p = 0.3). Conclusions: Three-year PFS did not significantly differ between treatment arms. The lack of survival benefit of HIPEC in the entire cohort and in subset analysis is consistent with the findings of PRODIGE7. ICARuS remains open to accrual for AC. These data support further investigation of the potential benefit of EPIC with CRS in carefully selected patients with CRC PM. Clinical trial information: NCT01815359 .

Comparing Survival Outcomes and Impact of EPIC in Patients Undergoing CRS/HIPEC for Mucinous Appendiceal Neoplasm.

This study sought to investigate the difference in survival outcomes in patients with complete cytoreduction (CC)-0 or CC-1 mucinous appendiceal cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). It also investigated what effect early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) may have on survival based on CC score and histology. This was a retrospective single centre study of patients that underwent CRS/HIPEC +/- EPIC for mucinous appendiceal neoplasms from June 2003 to February 2022. A total of 545 patients were identified. Although there was a survival difference between CC-0 and CC-1 on univariate analyses, this was not statistically significant on multivariate analysis. Histology, peritoneal cancer index, and EPIC status were demonstrated to be independent factors that affected overall survival (OS) on multivariate analysis. Patients with CC-1 that received EPIC had significantly improved OS (mean OS 14 years) when compared to patients that did not receive EPIC (mean OS 6 years). In CC-1, OS was significantly improved in patients that received EPIC in both low-grade (p<0.001) and high-grade (p=0.012) disease. OS for patients that received EPIC at 1, 5, and 10 years was 95%, 80%, and 59%, respectively. OS for patients that did not receive EPIC at 1, 5, and 10 years was 84%, 49%, and 30%, respectively. There was no difference in OS between CC-0 and CC-1. The implementation of EPIC in patients with CC-1 significantly improved OS in both low-grade and high-grade disease and thus we recommend its addition in CC-1 disease to achieve optimal survival outcome.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery for lymph node positive mucinous appendiceal neoplasms

BackgroundPatients who have surgery for a gastrointestinal cancer routinely have clinical and radiological tests in an effort to detect recurrent disease. If cancer progression is documented, additional surgery performed in a timely manner may prolong survival and help maintain an optimal quality of life. In mucinous appendiceal cancer patients a secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCRS) may be considered if recurrent disease is detected. MethodsIn patients with both lymph node metastases and peritoneal metastases from a mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma (MACA-LN) who had a prior complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), the clinical- and treatment-related variables associated with the index CRS and the SCRS were extracted from a database and secured research files. These variables were statistically assessed for their impact on survival. ResultsTwelve of 39 lymph node positive patients (30.8%) had SCRS. The mean follow-up was 7.6 years and the median survival was 4.5 years. There were 4 males (33%) and median age was 44 years. Significant prognostic variables associated with improved survival with the index CRS by univariant analysis was the use of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) (p = 0.0469). For the SCRS, no significant prognostic variables, not even completeness of cytoreduction, were discovered. ConclusionsIn MACA-LN patients, improved survival with SCRS was shown as compared to patients who recurred but did not undergo SCRS. In this group of patients with an aggressive disease, if SCRS was possible it improved survival with long-term (greater than 5 years) follow-up.

Oncological impact of intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastasis: A bi-institutional retrospective analysis.

There is a paucity of evidence on the value of intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for colorectal peritoneal metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between mitomycin C-IPC and survival outcomes following CRS. The institutional databases of two tertiary hospitals were reviewed to identify patients who underwent CRS for colorectal peritoneal metastasis. The outcomes of patients who underwent CRS without IPC were compared with those of patients who underwent CRS plus early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy(EPIC) or CRS plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy(HIPEC). The primary endpoints were cancer-specific survival (CSS), progression-free survival (PFS), and peritoneal PFS (P-PFS). In 149 patients with peritoneal metastasis alone, EPIC and HIPEC use was significantly associated with better CSS, PFS, and P-PFS in the multivariate analysis. CSS was also significantly associated with perioperative systemic chemotherapy. Among 42 patients with both peritoneal and extraperitoneal metastases, CSS was independently related to the completeness of cytoreduction score, location of extraperitoneal metastasis, and grade 3-4 complications. Mitomycin C-IPC after CRS was associated with better survival outcomes than CRS alone in patients with resectable peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer. This study found that IPC had beneficial effects regarding P-PFS in patients with both peritoneal and extraperitoneal metastases.

Extent of Disease on Visceral Peritoneal Surfaces of Mucinous Appendiceal Neoplasms Controls Survival.

To determine causes of treatment failure of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN). For 3 decades, LAMN have been treated by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This combined treatment has resulted in a large change in the survival of these patients. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed. A restricted cohort of patients with only LAMN histology and complete CRS were included in the statistical analysis. Four hundred and fifty patients were available with a median follow-up of 15.3 years (range 10-35 years). The median age was 49.7 and there were 196 males (43.6%). The mean survival was 24.5 years. Extent of parietal peritonectomy, resection of uterus, ovaries and apex of vagina had no impact on survival. Variables that indicated an increased extent of disease on visceral peritoneal surfaces had a significant impact on survival. Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil did not augment hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Patients who required reoperation for recurrence or patients with class 4 adverse events had a reduced prognosis. The mean survival of LAMN treated by complete CRS and perioperative chemotherapy was 24.5 years. Extent of disease quantitated on visceral peritoneal surfaces by the extent of visceral resections was the variable associated with treatment failure. Peritonectomy plus HIPEC was able to control disease on parietal peritoneal surfaces. Not only a larger extent of disease but also its location on visceral peritoneal surfaces controlled survival.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery for low‐grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms

In patients with low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN), a secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCRS) is often performed if recurrent disease is detected. In patients with a complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), the clinical- and treatment-related variables associated with the index CRS and the SCRS were statistically assessed for their impact on overall survival after SCRS. Eighty-eight patients of 450 patients (19.6%) had SCRS. The mean survival was 15.3 years for patients requiring SCRS as compared to 24.5 years for the group as a whole. Variables associated with improved survival as a result of the index CRS by multivariant modeling were absence of total gastrectomy (p = 0.0038), moderate peritoneal cancer index of 15-30 (p = 0.0020) and time interval of greater than 36 months from CRS to SCRS (p = 0.0013). Multivariant modeling associated with SCRS were complete CRS (p = 0.0104) and disease progression limited to the abdominal wall (p = 0.0106). Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) 5-fluorouracil used with CRS improved the outcome with SCRS (p = 0.0095). A requirement for SCRS in 88 patients decreased median survival to 15.3 years as compared to 24.5 years in all 450 LAMN patients (p < 0.0001). Prognostic indicators from both the index CRS and the SCRS had an impact on the outcome of SCRS.

Impact of Macroscopic Tumour Consistency and EPIC in Low-grade Appendiceal Neoplasms With Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Background/Aim: Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), otherwise known as disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), is treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with or without early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC). These tumours can vary significantly intraoperatively in terms of macroscopic appearance and consistency, and this may have an effect on survival outcomes. This study examines the differences between soft and hard tumours in terms of shortterm outcomes and long-term survival and whether this can change with the use of EPIC. Patients and Methods: Patients were classified into having macroscopically soft or hard tumours. A comparison of short-term outcomes (major morbidity, mortality, length of ICU stay and length of hospital stay) and long-term outcomes (overall survival) was performed. Survival sub analysis was performed in the patients who received EPIC. Results: Soft tumours behaved differently, with lower morbidity, mortality, shorter ICU stay and hospitalisation. They also demonstrated greater overall survival (86.7% at 5 years, p&lt;0.001). EPIC improved the overall survival for both soft and hard tumours. Conclusion: Tumour consistency has an impact on the outcomes of patients with DPAM and this can be used for prognostication.

Optimizing regional chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.

The response with intravenous chemotherapy using cisplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced ovarian cancer is often substantial. However, this regression of the malignancy is not durable, and a majority of patients succumb to this disease process. It is possible that alternative types of chemotherapy and alternative routes of chemotherapy administration can improve the results of treatment and perhaps, reduce the morbidity and mortality that patients experience. Regional chemotherapy treatments previously presented in the ovarian cancer literature were reviewed and critically analyzed. New methods for chemotherapy delivery for both advanced primary and recurrent ovarian cancer were reviewed. This included hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC), and normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (NIPEC) long-term. An important addition to perioperative chemotherapy delivery is the simultaneous use of heat with intraperitoneal drug delivery after a complete cytoreductive surgery. Drugs to be considered for HIPEC are cisplatin, gemcitabine, and melphalan. For EPIC, chemotherapy agents to consider include paclitaxel, pemetrexed, gemcitabine, and liposomal doxorubicin. For NIPEC, paclitaxel is the drug of choice usually combined with a systemic agent as bidirectional chemotherapy. Also, pemetrexed, gemcitabine, and liposomal doxorubicin are drugs to be considered for NIPEC in phase I/II trials. Innovative regimens of regional chemotherapy may improve the outcome of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. These chemotherapy treatments must be integrated with complete cytoreductive surgery and the availability of peritoneal access for repeated delivery of chemotherapy solutions.

Gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: Risk factors and prophylactic treatments for prevention of peritoneal recurrence after curative intent surgery.

AimRelapse after curative treatment for advanced gastric cancer, and especially peritoneal recurrence, is very common and has a dismal prognosis. The aim of this review is to summarize existing evidence regarding risk factors and prophylactic treatments intending to prevent peritoneal recurrence.MethodsA structured search of relevant studies was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.ResultsThe main risk factors identified are advanced pathological T‐stage (pT ≥ 3), regional lymph node involvement, diffuse/poorly cohesive type tumor, poorly differentiated cancer, and positive peritoneal wash cytology. Systemic chemotherapy in the perioperative or adjuvant setting improves survival for the patients but despite this peritoneal recurrence remains a common and yet an unsolved clinical problem. Different approaches of intraperitoneal chemotherapy such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy have shown promising results as prophylactic treatments aiming to prevent peritoneal recurrence.ConclusionFuture studies are warranted to find safe and effective treatments to prevent peritoneal recurrence.

Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in 632 patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin: A single institution experience

BackgroundThere is ongoing controversy concerning the indications and benefits of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei. The main contra-indications preventing wide-spread use of EPIC are reports of an increased postoperative morbidity with no clear evidence of oncological benefit. This paper reports a single high volume institution experience with EPIC over a 25-year period. MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of a single institution prospective database of patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for appendiceal neoplasms from March 1994 to December 2019. Sub group analysis of patients who received EPIC with 5FU 15mg/m2 is reported and compared with patients who did not receive EPIC. ResultsOverall, 632/1564 (40%) received EPIC. Patients who received EPIC were younger (median age 55 (IQR 45–63) vs 59 (IQR 50–68)) with similar extent of disease to those who did not have EPIC. EPIC was more likely to be given after complete cytoreduction. The use of EPIC has reduced over the last 25 years from 78% of patients initially to 16% most recently. Length of stay in critical care and total hospital stay were longer in patients who received EPIC but surprisingly major morbidity (Clavien Dindo Grade >3) was lower (p = 0.001). ConclusionEPIC can be administered safely following CRS and HIPEC for PMP of appendix origin when used in carefully selected patients in a high-volume centre. Randomised trials are needed to establish impact on disease free and overall survival to optimize selection criteria.

Morbidity following cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastases with or without early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A propensity score matched study

BackgroundCombining hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) treatment with early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) may increase postoperative morbidity. This study aims to investigate postoperative morbidity after HIPEC+EPIC compared with HIPEC alone in patients with peritoneal metastases (PM). Materials and methodsThis is a retrospective propensity score matched cohort study. All patients undergoing PM treatment at Uppsala University Hospital between February 2004 and December 2014 were included. Propensity score matching with a 1:1 ratio was performed using sex, primary tumor site, preoperative chemotherapy, peritoneal cancer index, completeness of cytoreduction score, and HIPEC regimen. Length of hospital stay, morbidity, reoperation rate, and readmission rate within 6 months were selected as endpoints. ResultsA total of 390 consecutive patients were divided in two arms: HIPEC+EPIC (n = 115) and HIPEC alone (n = 275). The propensity score matching (n = 190) was successful with balanced covariates: 95 patients/arm. The length of stay (LOS) was longer in the HIPEC + EPIC group in the total cohort (30 vs 24 days, p < 0.001), with a trend towards significance in the propensity matched group (29 vs 25 days, p = 0.062). No other differences in endpoints were found. ConclusionHIPEC+EPIC is associated with a prolonged hospital stay, but with no statistically significant relevant increase in postoperative morbidity, reoperation rate or incidence of readmission.

Early Postoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (EPIC) following Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei of appendiceal origin

Background: There is ongoing controversy concerning the indications and benefits of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei. The main contra-indications preventing wide-spread use of EPIC are reports of an increased postoperative morbidity with no clear evidence of oncological benefit. This paper reports a single high volume institution experience of EPIC over a 25-year period.

Revised prognostic indicators for treatment of lymph node positive colorectal peritoneal metastases

Peritoneal metastases from colon and rectal cancer presents a new target for a regional approach to treatment. Proper patient selection requires an understanding of the natural history of the disease progression. Data from colorectal cancer patients treated for peritoneal metastases by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and the records from the primary colon or rectal cancer surgery were analyzed to assess their impact on survival. Data regarding the anatomic sites of colorectal peritoneal metastases was gathered at the time of a complete CRS. A cohort of 73 patients with peritoneal metastases and lymph node metastases but no liver metastases provided the information. All patients had a complete cytoreduction. Left-sided primary cancer and a complete or near complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) indicated improved survival. Tumor progression within the abdominal incision, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) >10, peritoneal cancer index >9 and peritoneal metastases present in the abdominopelvic regions 6 and 11 carried an especially guarded prognosis. Reduced survival occurred with a right-sided or rectal primary cancer, a CEA >10, tumor cell entrapment, and involvement of abdominopelvic regions 6 and 11. Effective NAC showed a favorable outcome.

Role of Early Bedside HIPEC as Adjuvant Treatment in Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis

Objectives: Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is a poor prognostic factor for all malignancies and remains difficult to treat with systemic chemotherapy because of poor peritoneal vascularization, resulting in limited drug delivery and penetration into tissues. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of different locoregional treatment protocols with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), Early Peritoneal Chemotherapy (EPIC), Pressurized Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in the management of advanced colorectal cancer with metachronous PM. Methods: A total of 42 patients were divided into three groups, as follows. Group A: After neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy, 15 patients received cytoreductive surgery (CRS) + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and then adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Group B: After neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy, 12 patients received CRS + HIPEC + early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for 5 postoperative days and then adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Group C: After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 15 patients received CRS + HIPEC and then an adjuvant bedside HIPEC on the 10th postoperative day combined with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Patients in group A had a median overall survival (OS) of 33 months; however, log-rank tests showed that survival distributions of the three groups were not statistically significant different for both OS and disease-free survival. Conclusion: In conclusion, CRS plus HIPEC remains an alternative to locoregional treatment in well-selected patients with PM in combination with systemic neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Keywords: Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS), Peritoneal Metastasis (PM), Colorectal Cancer (CRC), adjuvant treatment

The 5 Year Outcomes of Early Postoperative Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (EPIC) in High-Grade Appendiceal Cancer – Does regimen length and cancer subtype make a difference?

Background: Early Post-operative Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (EPIC) following Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in high-grade appendiceal peritoneal cancer remains controversial with unclear survival benefit. The following study evaluates the survival outcomes in highgrade appendiceal cancer patients receiving varying days of EPIC in addition to CRS and HIPEC, and if survival varied between different appendiceal cancer subtypes. Patients and Methods: A monocentric retrospective analysis of patients with high-grade appendiceal cancers managed from 1994 to 2018 was undertaken. An analysis was performed comparing survival between patients who received HIPEC, HIPEC+EPIC, HIPEC+EPIC &lt;3 days and HIPEC+EPIC ≥3days. All patients received CRS. Results: 212 patients were included in the study. The 5years overall survival was 60% and 55% in the HIPEC+EPIC and HIPEC groups respectively. Patients who received ≥3days of EPIC had an 8% reduction in risk of death compared to those who had &lt;3 days (HR 0.92, CI 0.89-0.94), with a 5-year survival of 62% in the ≥3days group compared to 55% in the &lt;3day group. Patients with signet cell carcinoma had the greatest 5year survival advantage when both HIPEC and EPIC were given (HR 01.23, CI 01.21-01.26). Conclusion: EPIC in combination with HIPEC and CRS offers survival benefit at 5years in high-grade appendiceal peritoneal cancer and is most advantageous in signet cell carcinoma. Completing a ≥3day course of EPIC increases chance of survival at 5years compared to a &lt;3 days course.