Delayed repeated intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery for colorectal and appendiceal carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND

Delayed repeated intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery for carcinomatosis may be an alternative to intraoperative hyperthermic infusion.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of delayed repeated intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreduction of colorectal and appendiceal carcinomatosis and pseudomyxoma peritonei.

DESIGN

This study constitutes a retrospective case series.

SETTING

This study was conducted at a single institution.

PATIENTS

A total of 31 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (23) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (8) were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Cytoreduction was followed by placement of an adhesion barrier and intraperitoneal catheters. Peritoneal scintigraphy preceded biweekly intraperitoneal 5-fluorouracil and systemic combination chemotherapy with leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured are safety, feasibility, and short-term survival.

RESULTS

Cytoreduction to a score of 0 to 1 was possible in 25 patients (80%). Complications occurred in 16 patients (51.6%) and were confined to grades I to III. There were no deaths, and no digestive fistulae occurred. Port malfunction or complication resulted in removal in 5 patients (16.1%). Intraperitoneal chemotherapy was possible in 83.8% of patients; 55% completed the full course. Peritoneal scintigraphy demonstrated free diffusion of tracer in 18 patients (58%), 4 (12.9%) had diffusion in each gutter with limited communication, 5 (16.1%) had limited diffusion around each catheter without communication, and 2 (6.5%) had no diffusion on scintigraphy. Overall survival for peritoneal carcinomatosis was 44.5% at 3 years (95% CI = 23%-65%).

LIMITATIONS

The nonrandomized nature of this study and the early experience are limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed repeated intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy after cytoreduction is feasible and has acceptable morbidity rates. Delayed intraperitoneal chemotherapy is possible in 83% of patients.