Prehabilitation to improve postoperative outcomes in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A scoping review

The relationship between baseline nutritional status with subsequent parenteral nutrition and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery: a retrospective study

Introduction

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) with Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) is the preferred treatment for peritoneal malignancies. This highly complex operation is associated with a high incidence of complications, particularly due to malnutrition. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between preoperative nutritional status and postoperative clinical outcomes in adult cancer patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC for peritoneal malignancy.

Methods

A retrospective study with 140 adult cancer patients, on parenteral nutrition (PN) (n = 40) and not on PN (n = 100) who underwent CRS with or without HIPEC, was conducted.

Results

Patients who received PN had significantly longer post-operative, hospital, and ICU LOS than those who did not (p = 0.001). ICU admission was significantly higher in the non-PN receiving group compared to the PN receiving group. When compared to the PN group, the majority of patients not receiving PN were at low risk of malnutrition (91% vs. 75%, p = 0.020), whereas 17.5% of PN patients were at risk of malnutrition during hospitalization. Multiple regression analyses revealed a strong positive relationship between patients with increased risk of malnutrition and ICU LOS (p = 0.047).

Discussion

Routine preoperative nutrition assessment is essential to identify patients who are at higher nutritional risk, and nutrition support should be provided preoperatively.

A global analysis of nutrition support practices in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal malignancy

BACKGROUND

Perioperative nutritional care has been identified as an important factor in the management of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Nevertheless, there is no published consensus on best practice for nutritional management specific to this patient group. The purpose of this study was to identify the current nutrition care practices among international centres performing CRS and HIPEC for patients with peritoneal malignancy.

METHODS

An online survey was developed and sent to experienced CRS and HIPEC centres. The survey questions covered clinician and institution demographics, formal nutrition care pathways, pre-operative nutrition care, post-operative nutrition support and post-discharge nutritional follow-up.

RESULTS

Eighty-two centres were contacted, and 42 responses were received. Respondents were from 20 different countries and were mostly dietitians (71%). Nutrition assessments were frequently completed (52% pre-operatively and 86% post-operatively) and most centres used a validated nutrition screening or assessment tool (79%). Perioperative nutrition support with respect to the use of enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition and enhanced recovery after surgery varied widely between centres. The use of routine parenteral and enteral nutrition was significantly higher in Europe compared with other locations (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition care is pivotal and has been positively integrated into the complex management of patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC globally, however variation in practice is evident. The findings highlight a unique opportunity to collaboratively investigate the role nutrition plays in determining outcomes and to identify the most appropriate nutrition support methods to achieve improved clinical outcomes for these high-risk patients.

Ovarian cancer in the older patient: where are we now? What to do next?

In recent years, major advances have been made toward the individualization of epithelial ovarian cancer care, leading to an overall improvement of patient outcomes. However, real-life data indicate that the oldest populations do not benefit from this, due to aspects related to cancer (more aggressive histopathological features), treatment (i.e. frequently suboptimal), and the host (increased toxicities in patients with lower physiological reserve). A specific risk-benefit perspective should therefore be taken when considering surgery, chemotherapy, and maintenance treatments: the decision for cytoreductive surgery should include geriatric vulnerability and surgical complexity, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy being an option when primary surgery appears at high risk; carboplatin paclitaxel association remains the standard even in vulnerable older patients; and bevacizumab and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors maintenance are interesting options provided they are prescribed according to their indications with a close monitoring of their toxicities. Future studies should aim to individualize care without limiting access of older patients to innovation. A specific focus is needed on age-specific translational analyses (focusing on tumor mutational burden and impaired biological pathways), a better patient stratification according to geriatric parameters, an adaptation of both oncological treatment and geriatric interventions, and treatment adaptations not a priori but according to formal pharmacokinetic data.

Epidemiology of psychiatric disorders following cytoreductive surgeries plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prospective cohort analysis

The peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM) is an advanced disease, the prognosis of which has been radically improved since the development of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). These procedures are associated with many complications. However, very few data are available regarding the psychiatric morbidities that might occur. The present study assessed the epidemiology of depressive mood and anxiety during the 6 months following the procedure. The analysis of a prospective cohort that included patients who underwent CRS with or without HIPEC between December 2016 and December 2019 was performed. A total of 115 patients were included. During the 6-months follow-up, the mean (SD) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale -D (HADS-D) score was 7.8 (48) and a significant increase compared with the pre-operative period (t(49) = - 4.36, p < 0.005) was found. Thirty-seven patients (32%) had a HADS-D score higher than 7. The incidence of a HADS-D score higher than 7 during the follow-up was 0.05 patient per patient-month. Anxiety and the overall mental disorders intensity scores also increased. The results showed an important increase of mental disorders and their intensity during the 6-months following a CRS with or without HIPEC.

Multimodal Prehabilitation in Patients Undergoing Complex Colorectal Surgery, Liver Resection, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): A Pilot Study on Feasibility and Potential Efficacy

BACKGROUND

Surgery for complex primary and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), such as liver resection and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), in academic settings has led to improved survival but is associated with complications up to 75%. Prehabilitation has been shown to prevent complications in non-academic hospitals. This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of a multimodal prehabilitation program in patients undergoing surgery in an academic hospital for complex primary and metastatic CRC.

METHODS

All patients awaiting complex colorectal surgery, liver resection, or HIPEC from July 2019 until January 2020 were considered potentially eligible. Feasibility was measured by accrual rate, completion rate, adherence to the program, satisfaction, and safety. To determine potential efficacy, postoperative outcomes were compared with a historical control group.

RESULTS

Sixteen out of twenty-five eligible patients (64%) commenced prehabilitation, and fourteen patients fully completed the intervention (88%). The adherence rate was 69%, as 11 patients completed >80% of prescribed supervised trainings. No adverse events occurred, and all patients expressed satisfaction with the program. The complication rate was significantly lower in the prehabilitation group (37.5%) than the control group (70.2%, p = 0.020). There was no difference in the type of complications.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study illustrates that multimodal prehabilitation is feasible in the majority of patients undergoing complex colorectal cancer, liver resection, and HIPEC in an academic setting.

Functional Outcomes Following Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Pre-operative physical status and its association with post-operative surgical outcomes is poorly understood in patients with peritoneal malignancy who undergo cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The aims of this study were to determine the pre-operative physical function in patients having CRS-HIPEC and investigate the association between physical function and post-operative outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC between 2017 and 2021 were recruited at a single quaternary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia. The primary physical function measures were the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and the five-times sit to stand test (5STS). Data were collected pre-operatively and at post-operative day 10, and were analysed according to pre-operative patient characteristics and post-operative outcomes such as length of hospital stay (LOS) and complications.

RESULTS

The cohort of patients that participated in functional assessments consisted of 234 patients, with a median age of 56 years. Patients having CRS-HIPEC performed worse on the 6MWT pre-operatively compared with the general Australian population (p < 0.001). Post-operatively, these patients experienced a further deterioration in 6MWT and 5STS performance and the degree of the post-operative decline in function was associated with post-operative morbidity. A higher level of pre-operative physical function was associated with shorter LOS and minor post-operative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have undergone CRS-HIPEC were functionally impaired pre-operatively compared with the general population and experience a further deterioration of physical function post-operatively. A higher level of pre-operative physical function is associated with minor post-operative morbidity, which is highly relevant for pre-operative optimisation of patients with cancer.

The Impact of Computed Tomography Measurements of Sarcopenia on Postoperative and Oncologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) is a treatment option for peritoneal metastases (PM) but is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of computed tomographic (CT)-measured sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes and survival in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for PM from various origins. A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2012 and 2020. Three-hundred and twelve patients (mean age 57.6 ± 10.3, 34.3% male) were included, of which 88 (28.2%) were sarcopenic. PM from a colorectal origin was the most common in both groups. The proportion of major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) was not higher in the sarcopenic group (15.9% in sarcopenic patients vs. 23.2% in nonsarcopenic patients, p = 0.17). The mean Comprehensive Complication Index scores, HIPEC-related toxicities, length of hospital stay, and duration of parenteral nutrition were comparable regardless of sarcopenia status. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis of severe complications, only peritoneal carcinomatosis index reached statistical significance (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.08, p = 0.007). Sarcopenia did not impact origin-specific overall survival on Cox regression analysis. Sarcopenia was not associated with worse rates of postoperative severe complications or worse survival rates. Future prospective studies are required before considering sarcopenia as part of preoperative risk assessment.