The role of baseline inflammatory-based scores and serum tumor markers to risk stratify pseudomyxoma peritonei patients treated with cytoreduction (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

A nomogram prediction model of pseudomyxoma peritonei established based on new prognostic factors of HE stained pathological images analysis

BACKGROUND

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare clinical malignant syndrome, and its rarity causes a lack of pathology research. This study aims to quantitatively analyze HE-stained pathological images (PIs), and develop a new predictive model integrating digital pathological parameters with clinical information.

METHODS

Ninety-two PMP patients with complete clinic-pathological information, were included. QuPath was used for PIs quantitative feature analysis at tissue-, cell-, and nucleus-level. The correlations between overall survival (OS) and general clinicopathological characteristics, and PIs features were analyzed. A nomogram was established based on independent prognostic factors and evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 92 PMP patients, there were 34 (37.0%) females and 58 (63.0%) males, with a median age of 57 (range: 31-76). A total of 449 HE stained images were obtained for QuPath analysis, which extracted 40 pathological parameters at three levels. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed eight clinicopathological characteristics and 20 PIs features significantly associated with OS (p < 0.05). Partial least squares regression was used to screen the multicollinearity features and synthesize four new features. Multivariate survival analysis identified the following five independent prognostic factors: preoperative CA199, completeness of cytoreduction, histopathological type, component one at tissue-level, and tumor nuclei circularity variance. A nomogram was established with internal validation C-index 0.795 and calibration plots indicating improved prediction performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The quantitative analysis of HE-stained PIs could extract the new prognostic information on PMP. A nomogram established by five independent prognosticators is the first model integrating digital pathological information with clinical data for improved clinical outcome prediction.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei induced by a well-differentiated appendicular mucinous adenocarcinoma: An uncommon cause of isolated ascites in a young man patient

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) remains difficult to diagnose and has a reserved prognosis. Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare entity, of appendicular origin in the majority of cases. Its clinical symptomatology is not specific, and the diagnosis is evoked by imaging and surgery and confirmed by histology.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio on low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm: A single tertiary hospital experience

BACKGROUND

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is a rare disease, which prognostic factors were difficult to evaluate. Inflammation markers, like neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were used as prognosticators for various cancers. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment NLR and PLR on LAMN.

METHODS

From January 2000 to September 2018, there were 57 patients diagnosed with LAMN in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Patients diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma, mucinous tumor with uncertain malignant potential before 2010 were also included based on previous classification. Clinical and pathological data were collected. Patients were separated into high-NLR (NLR-H) and low-NLR (NLR-L) groups according to cutoff value of 3. Similarly, they were separated into high-PLR (PLR-H), and low-PLR (PLR-L) groups with cutoff value of 300. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among all patients, the median follow-up time was 42 months. Age, gender, clinical manifestations, type of surgery, and T stage were similar in different NLR and PLR groups. Both NLR-H and PLR-H groups had higher rate of M1 stage of diseases (22.7% vs 9.4%, p = 0.04; 57.1% vs 8.8%, p < 0.01, respectively). PLR-H group had more presence of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) (57.1% vs 15.2%, p = 0.03). In univariate analysis, factors such as age, gender, tumor perforation, and operation did not have impact on OS nor RFS. On the other hand, M1b stage is the only significantly poor prognostic factor on RFS (hazard ratio, 57.96, 95% CI, 5.16-651.23, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Both NLR-H and PLR-H had more M1 stage of diseases, but they were not correlated to OS nor RFS. PLR-H group had higher rate of presence PMP. Nevertheless, patients with LAMN and cellular PMP (M1b stage) had a higher rate of recurrence, and other factors showed no statistical difference in OS nor RFS.

Impact of Mitomycin-C-Induced Neutropenia after Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Cytoreductive Surgery in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Background

Mitomycin-C (MMC) is the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS). However, MMC has a side effect of myelosuppression. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations and impact of MMC-induced neutropenia after CRS and HIPEC in colorectal cancer patients.

Methods

A total of 124 colorectal cancer patients who underwent CRS with HIPEC between March 2015 and January 2019 were evaluated. Patients with malignancies of non-colorectal origin, hospital stay longer than 60 days, peritoneal cancer index > 30, and complete cytoreduction score > 2 were excluded. MMC 35 mg/m² was administered for 90 min at 41–43 °C. The patients were divided into three groups: no neutropenia, mild neutropenia (grade 1–2), and severe neutropenia (grade 3–4).

Results

In total, mild and severe neutropenia occurred in 30 (24.2%) and 48 (38.7%) patients, respectively. Age and body surface area were significantly different among the neutropenia groups. Severe neutropenia developed significantly earlier than mild neutropenia (6.9 days vs. 10.4 days, p < 0.001) and also lasted significantly longer (4.6 days vs. 2.5 days, p = 0.005). The rate of major postoperative complications was significantly higher in the severe neutropenia group than in the no and mild neutropenia groups (8.3% vs. 6.7% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.015)

Conclusions

Severe neutropenia starts earlier and lasts longer than mild neutropenia after CRS and HIPEC using an MMC triple method. The higher rate of major postoperative complications in patients with severe neutropenia highlights the importance of postoperative management during the neutropenia period.

Perioperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Mortality After Cardiac Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory biomarker that has been evaluated across a variety of surgical disciplines and is widely predictive of poor postoperative outcome, but its value in cardiac surgery is unclear. The authors did this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of elevated perioperative NLR on survival after cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of study-level data.

SETTING

Multiple hospitals involved in an international pool of studies.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults undergoing cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The authors searched multiple databases from inception until November 2020. They generated summary hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) for the association of elevated preoperative NLR with long-term and short-term mortality following cardiac surgery. They separately reported on elevated postoperative NLR. Between-study heterogeneity was explored using metaregression. The authors included 12 studies involving 13,262 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Elevated preoperative NLR was associated with worse long-term (>30 days) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56; 95% CI [confidence interval], 1.18-2.06; 8 studies) and short-term (<30 days) mortality (OR 3.18; 95% CI, 1.90-5.30; 7 studies). One study reported the association of elevated postoperative NLR with long-term mortality (HR 8.58; 95% CI, 2.55-28.85). There was considerable between-study heterogeneity for the analysis of long-term mortality (I² statistic 94.39%), which mostly was explained by study-level variables, such as the number of variables adjusted for by included studies and how many of these significantly increased the risk of long-term mortality, high risk of bias, and number of study centers, as well as participant level factors, such as average participant age and hypertension prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative NLR is an independent predictor of short-term and long-term postoperative mortality following cardiac surgery. Further research is required to determine which patient-level factors modify the prognostic value of NLR and to evaluate its role in routine clinical practice.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognostic Prediction in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Originating From Mucinous Ovarian Cancer

Objective

To describe the clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC)-derived pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) and identify prognostic factors for survival.

Methods

Medical records from patients with MOC-derived PMP who attended the Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China between January 2009, and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for PMP originating from MOC were performed on 22 patients, who had a median age of 52 years at the time of surgery. At the last follow-up in June 2020, 9 (41%) patients were still alive. Median OS was 12 months (range, 1 to 102 months), and the 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 23, 9, and 5%, respectively.

Conclusion

Histopathologic subtype and PCI may be applied as predictors of prognosis in patients with MOC-derived PMP. Patients with high-grade disease could benefit from completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) 0/1.

The Role of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei After Cytoreductive Surgery

Importance

Studies on the prognostic role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) are currently not available.

Objectives

To evaluate outcomes after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC compared with CRS alone in patients with PMP.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study analyzed data from the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) registry, including 1924 patients with histologically confirmed PMP due to an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. Eligible patients were treated with CRS with or without HIPEC from February 1, 1993, to December 31, 2017, and had complete information on the main prognostic factors and intraperitoneal treatments. Inverse probability treatment weights based on the propensity score for HIPEC treatment containing the main prognostic factors were applied to all models to balance comparisons between the CRS-HIPEC vs CRS-alone groups in the entire series and in the following subsets: optimal cytoreduction, suboptimal cytoreduction, high- and low-grade histologic findings, and different HIPEC drug regimens. Data were analyzed from March 1 to June 1, 2018.

Interventions

HIPEC including oxaliplatin plus combined fluorouracil-leucovorin, cisplatin plus mitomycin, mitomycin, and other oxaliplatin-based regimens.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival, severe morbidity (determined using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology for Adverse Events, version 3.0), return to operating room, and 30- and 90-day mortality. Differences in overall survival were compared using weighted Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards multivariable models. A sensitivity analysis was based on the E-value from the results of the main Cox proportional hazards model. Differences in surgical outcomes were compared using weighted multivariable logistic models.

Results

Of the 1924 patients included in the analysis (997 [51.8%] men; median age, 56 [interquartile range extremes (IQRE), 45-65] years), 376 were in the CRS-alone group and 1548 in the CRS-HIPEC group. Patients with CRS alone were older (median age, 60 [IQRE, 48-70] vs 54 [IQRE, 44-63] years), had less lymph node involvement (14 [3.7%] vs 119 [7.7%]), received more preoperative systemic chemotherapy (198 [52.7%] vs 529 [34.2%]), and had higher proportions of high-grade disease (179 [47.6%] vs 492 [31.8%]) and suboptimal cytoreduction residual disease (grade 3, 175 [46.5%] vs 117 [7.6%]). HIPEC was not associated with a higher risk of worse surgical outcomes except with mitomycin, with higher odds of morbidity (1.99; 95% CI, 1.25-3.19; P = .004). HIPEC was associated with a significantly better overall survival in all subsets (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs], 0.60-0.68, with 95% CIs not crossing 1.00). The weighted 5-year overall survival was 57.8% (95% CI, 50.8%-65.7%) vs 46.2% (95% CI, 40.3%-52.8%) for CRS-HIPEC and CRS alone, respectively (weighted HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50-0.83; P < .001; E-value, 2.03). Such prognostic advantage was associated with oxaliplatin plus fluorouracil-leucovorin (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.93; P = .03) and cisplatin plus mitomycin (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42-0.78; P = .001) schedules.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, HIPEC was associated with better overall survival when performed after CRS in PMP, generally without adverse effects on surgical outcomes.

A pilot randomised clinical trial comparing desflurane anaesthesia vs total intravenous anaesthesia, for changes in haemodynamic, inflammatory and coagulation parameters in patients undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background and Aims:

Cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) cause numerous pathophysiological changes. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two anaesthetic techniques on haemodynamic changes, inflammatory and coagulation parameters during this procedure.

Methods:

Twenty-one consenting adults undergoing CRS+HIPEC procedure, were block randomised to receive desflurane (V, n = 9) or TIVA (T, n = 12). After epidural catheter placement and intravenous induction of anaesthesia in both groups with fentanyl, propofol and rocuronium, anaesthesia was maintained with propofol or with desflurane, based on group allocation. Haemodynamic and temperature changes were assessed intra-operatively and variance was analysed. Inflammatory and coagulation markers were measured and compared at five time-points in the peri-operative period. Categorical variables were analysed using Chi square or Fisher exact test. Continuous variables were compared using t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results:

Changes in core body temperature and haemodynamic variables during the hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) phase were comparable between the two groups; except mean variance of mean arterial pressure, which was significantly higher (P = 0.0056) in group V (receiving desflurane) (58.98 ± 36.74) than TIVA group (27.51 ± 14.22). Inflammatory markers in both groups were comparable at five defined time points in the peri-operative period. On post-hoc analysis, pairwise comparisons with baseline, between levels of inflammatory markers within each group showed increased post-operative inflammation in group V. Mean prothrombin time was comparable.

Conclusion:

Desflurane group suffered greater mean arterial pressure (MAP) instability during the HIPEC phase. Inflammation in both groups was highest during the first 24 h after surgery. Prolonged inflammation was noted in patients receiving desflurane.

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Originating from Transverse Colon Mucinous Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare neoplasm involving the peritoneum. Most PMPs are low-grade appendicular mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs). There have been no reports of PMP originating from a transverse colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma and causing metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma. Case Presentation. We report a 46-year-old woman who presented with a right abdominal mass of more than 4-month duration. Transverse colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma, PMP, and ovarian metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma were diagnosed. The patient's diet was normal, and she had no abdominal pain or bloating. The abdomen mass increased in the month before treatment. After chemotherapy, the transverse colon mass and ovarian giant cyst were resected and about 2000 mL of gelatinous tumor tissue was removed. Postoperative histology confirmed PMP from the transverse colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma, ovarian metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma, and mesocolon metastatic cancer. Multiple lung metastases appeared 8 months after surgery. The patient died 29 months after surgery because of an inability to eat and poor nutrition. A systematic literature review of the management and outcome of all known similar cases is also presented.

Conclusions

This is the first report of PMP originating from a transverse colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma. It was diagnosed during resective surgery, involved ovarian metastasis, and survival was short. We did an extensive literature review in order to describe the clinical characteristics, histopathological findings, genetic profile, and potential treatments of PMP caused by nonappendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Postoperative pain pathophysiology and treatment strategies after CRS + HIPEC for peritoneal cancer

Background

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment choice for peritoneal cancer. However, patients commonly suffer from severe postoperative pain. The pathophysiology of postoperative pain is considered to be from both nociceptive and neuropathic origins.

Main body

The recent advances on the etiology of postoperative pain after CRS + HIPEC treatment were described, and the treatment strategy and outcomes were summarized.

Conclusion

Conventional analgesics could provide short-term symptomatic relief. Thoracic epidural analgesia combined with opioids administration could be an effective treatment choice. In addition, a transversus abdominis plane block could also be an alternative option, although further studies should be performed.

Prognostic Value of Systemic Inflammatory Indices, NLR, PLR, and MPV, for Predicting 1-Year Survival of Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) have been reported to be associated with the prognosis of various types of tumors. This study evaluated the prognostic value and clinical use of inflammatory markers for predicting 1-year survival in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This retrospective study included 160 patients who underwent CRS with HIPEC between July 2014 and April 2017. Data on NLR, PLR, and MPV were collected preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. In a multivariate analysis using a cox proportional hazard regression model, higher values of preoperative NLR and MPV, PLR, and MPV on POD 2, 3, and 5 were associated with reduced 1-year survival after CRS with HIPEC. Patients with increased MPV showed lower rates of 1-year survival following CRS with HIPEC. In addition, elevated preoperative NLR and postoperative PLR were correlated with poor survival. These markers are able to stratify patients by risk profile, which may ultimately improve perioperative management and be helpful in improving outcomes following CRS with HIPEC.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei induced by low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm accompanied by rectal cancer: a case report and literature review

Background

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a disease involving the peritoneum characterized by the production of large quantities of mucinous ascites. PMP has a low incidence, is difficult to diagnose, and has a guarded prognosis. PMP induced by low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm is extremely rare, and PMP accompanied by rectal cancer is even rarer.

Case presentation

We present a unique case of a 70-year-old male with PMP induced by low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm accompanied by rectal cancer. The patient’s clinical, surgical, and histologic data were reviewed. The patient had persistent distended abdominal pain without radiating lower back pain, abdominal distension for 1 month, and no exhaustion or defecation for 4 days. A transabdominal ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed on the first day. The patient received an emergency exploratory laparotomy because of increased abdominal pressure. We performed cytoreductive surgery, enterolysis, intestinal decompression, special tumour treatment and radical resection of rectal carcinoma. The postoperative course was uneventful. The postoperative histological diagnoses were PMP, low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and rectal medium differentiated adenocarcinoma. At the 1-year follow-up visit, no tumour recurrence was observed by computed tomography (CT). We also performed a literature review.

Conclusions

We should be aware that PMP can rarely be accompanied by rectal cancer, which represents an easily missed diagnosis and increases the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, there are some typical characteristics of PMP with respect to diagnosis and treatment.

Preoperative CA125 value predicts Glisson capsule involvement in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Aim: The difficulty of detecting lesions smaller than 1 cm in the preoperative period is still a continuing problem in peritoneal carcinomatosis. Methods: The prospective data of 106 peritoneal carcinomatosis patients were included this study. Preoperative AFP, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19.9, CA125, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet value, platelet distribution width, red cell distribution width and radiological findings compared according to Glisson capsule tumor involvement. Results: Preoperative radiological imaging methods have low accuracy in demonstrating Glisson capsule involvement. Inflammatory and serum tumor markers, except CA125, have been shown to be ineffective at detecting preoperative Glisson capsule involvement. CA125 levels higher than 52.4 were found to be significant in indicating Glisson's capsule involvement. Conclusion: CA125 is more sensitive than radiological and nuclear imaging methods in detecting tumors smaller than 1 cm.

Outcomes in Peritoneal Dissemination from Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Appendix Treated with Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is standard treatment for peritoneal dissemination from appendiceal cancer (AC); however, its role in high-grade histopathologic subtypes (high-grade mucinous carcinoma peritonei [HGMCP] and HGMCP with signet ring cells [HGMCP-S]) is controversial due to their aggressive behavior. This study analyzed clinical outcomes of high-grade AC after CRS/HIPEC.

METHODS

A prospective database of CRS/HIPEC procedures for HGMCP performed from 1998-2017 was reviewed. Perioperative variables and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty-six HGMCP and 65 HGMCP-S were identified. HGMCP had more positive tumor markers (TM) (CEA/CA-125/CA-19-9) than HGMCP-S (63% vs 40%, p = 0.005). HGMCP had higher Peritoneal Cancer Index (32 vs 26, p = 0.097) and was less likely to have positive lymph nodes (LN) than HGMCP-S (28% vs 69%, p = < 0.001). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 84% and 83%, respectively. PFS at 3- and 5-years was 59% and 48% for HGMCP vs 31% and 14% for HGMCP-S. Median PFS was 4.3 and 1.6 years, respectively (p < 0.001). OS at 3- and 5-years was 84% and 64% in HGMCP vs 38% and 25% in HGMCP-S. Median OS was 7.5 and 2.2 years, respectively (p < 0.001). LN negative HGMCP-S had longer median PFS and OS than LN positive HGMCP-S (PFS: 3.4 vs 1.5 years, p = 0.03; OS: 5.6 vs 2.1 months, p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

The aggressive histology of HGMCP-S is associated with poor OS, has fewer abnormal TM, and is more likely to have positive LN. However, CRS/HIPEC can achieve a 5-year survival of 25%, which may improve to 51% with negative LN.

Dose-Dependent Effect of Red Blood Cells Transfusion on Perioperative and Long-Term Outcomes in Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Treated with Cytoreduction and HIPEC

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are associated with increased red blood cell transfusion (RBT) demand. Although the deleterious effects of RBT are documented in various settings, its effect in this setting is obscure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of different-grade RBT on the short- and long-term outcomes of CRS and HIPEC.

METHODS

We analyzed 231 patients with diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) and 273 patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) operated in our unit. RBT was categorized according to the amount of packed red blood cell units (PRBCs) administered (0, 1-2, 3-5, > 6). The effects of RBT on long-term oncological outcomes [progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)] were assessed by using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 74% of the patients were transfused with a median of 2 PRBCs (range 0-37). Transfusion level correlated with operative time, surgical extent (as measured by the peritoneal carcinomatosis index), and age. Postoperatively, patients with major transfusion (> 6 PRBCs) had increased mortality rate (11.1%, p = 0.01) and length of hospital stay (31.2 ± 16.8 days, p = 0.01) compared with other levels of RBT. RBT was dose-dependently associated with oncological outcomes in both DMPM and PMP for both PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.74, p = 0.003; HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.15-1.81, p = 0.001, respectively] and OS (HR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.21-2.03, p = 0.001; HR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.15-1.90, p = 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show a dose-dependent relationship between RBT and oncological outcomes. Further research to develop transfusion sparing protocols is needed in this extensive surgical procedure.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei: natural history and treatment

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an uncommon disease characterised by mucinous ascites, classically originating from a ruptured low grade mucinous neoplasm of the appendix. The natural history of PMP revolves around the "redistribution phenomenon", whereby mucinous tumour cells accumulate at specific sites with relative sparing of the motile small bowel and to a lesser extent other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Peritoneal tumour accumulates due to gravity and at the sites of peritoneal fluid absorption, namely, the greater and lesser omentum and the under-surface of the diaphragm, particularly on the right. The optimal treatment is complete macroscopic tumour excision termed cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with Hyperthermic Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Total operating time for complete CRS and HIPEC for extensive PMP is around 10 h and generally involves bilateral parietal and diaphragmatic peritonectomies, right hemicolectomy, radical greater omentectomy with splenectomy, cholecystectomy and liver capsulectomy, a pelvic peritonectomy with, or without, rectosigmoid resection and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with hysterectomy in females. A unique feature of low grade PMP, which differs from other peritoneal malignancies, includes slow disease progression, which may be asymptomatic until advanced stages. Additionally, very extensive disease with a high "PCI" (Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index) may still be amenable to complete excision and cure. In cases where complete tumour removal is not feasible, maximum tumour debulking can still result in long-term survival in PMP. PMP is challenging, complex but nevertheless the most rewarding peritoneal malignancy amenable to cure by CRS and HIPEC.

The pre-operative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts overall and disease-free survival following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with pseudomxyoma peritonei of appendiceal origin

AIM

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and other inflammation-based scores have been used as a prognostic tool to predict survival in solid tumours including pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). The aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of this marker and risk stratify PMP patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was conducted of a prospectively collected database of patients with PMP who underwent CRS and HIPEC between 1994 and 2015. The NLR was calculated by dividing the pre-operative neutrophil count by lymphocyte count. Predicted overall survival (OS) and disease-free interval (DFI) were calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival model.

RESULTS

The study included 699 patients, stratified into four groups as defined by their NLR. Group A: 200 (28.6%) patients (NLR = 0.10-2.00), Group B: 160 (22.8%) patients (NLR = 2.10-2.78), Group C: 184 (26.3%) patients (NLR = 2.79-4.31) and Group D: 155 (22.2%) patients (NLR ≥ 4.32). The median follow-up for this cohort was 36 months. The predicted DFI was 132.2, 113.1, 84.4 and 47.9 months and the OS was 141.1, 117.6, 88.7 and 51.2 months for Groups A, B, C and D, respectively. As the NLR increases, there is a reduction in long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

The pre-operative NLR is cost effective and has equivalent prognostic value to pre-operative tumour markers for patients with PMP treated with CRS and HIPEC. The NLR is a reliable tool that may have a role in predicting outcomes following CRS and HIPEC for patients with PMP of appendiceal origin.

Treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy-current perspectives

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (ptc) represents advanced malignant disease and has generally been associated with a grim prognosis. Peritoneal surface malignancy is often the major source of morbidity and mortality; it is of major concern in cancer management. Although ptc is categorized as metastatic disease, it represents a special disease pattern considered to be a locoregional disease limited to the abdominal cavity. The combination of cytoreductive surgery (crs) and intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (hipec) has successfully been used as locoregional treatment for selected patients with ptc from gastric, colorectal, and ovarian cancer; with mesothelioma; and with pseudomyxoma peritonei. In the prophylactic setting, hipec can also be used to prevent ptc in high-risk patients, and the first results of the "second-look" approach are promising. Patient selection-in which the risks of perioperative morbidity and mortality, which are analogous to those for any other major gastrointestinal surgery, are assessed-is of utmost importance. Those risks have to be weighed against the anticipated survival benefit, which depends mainly on tumour biology, extent of disease, and probability of achieving complete crs. The present review discusses the principles of crs and hipec, the most significant recent clinical data, and current perspectives concerning the application of this treatment modality in various malignancies. Ongoing trials and future directions are noted. It appears that the combination of crs and hipec is an indispensable tool in the oncologist's armamentarium.