Comparative effectiveness of prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for resected low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN): A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm: What Is the Best Treatment?

BACKGROUND

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is an uncommon tumor of the appendix that is usually diagnosed incidentally after surgery. Although LAMN may be asymptomatic, it can rupture and seed mucin and neoplastic epithelium into the peritoneum, causing pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 53 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Age, sex, tumor size, margin status, peritoneal carcinomatosis index, surgical procedures, postoperative results with histologic diagnosis, T stage, recurrence, and mortality of the patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Appendectomy was performed in 37 patients, right hemicolectomy in nine patients, cytoreductive surgery in one patient, and cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in six patients. Recurrence occurred in four patients. Of the patients who developed recurrence, one patient had stage T4a disease, and the other three patients had T4b disease (p<0.001). Eighteen patients had acellular mucin in the serosa and four of these patients developed recurrence (p=0.004). Twelve patients had appendix perforation, and three of these patients had PMP on exploration (p<0.001). The mean survival time was 93.3 months in patients without recurrence and 32 months in patients with recurrence (p=0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are rare appendiceal tumors. The appropriate management of this tumor is controversial. T stage, appendix perforation, presence of acellular mucin on the serosa, and surgical margins are risk factors for the development of PMP. Appendectomy is considered sufficient when there are no risk factors for Tis (LAMN) and T3 disease. Right hemicolectomy may be sufficient if there are no risk factors for T4a disease, but cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy seem to be the most appropriate treatments in the presence of the stated risk factors for T4b disease.

Clinicopathological Features of Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms Confined to the Appendix

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathological features and follow-up of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) confined to the appendix.

METHODS

The clinicopathological features, pathological primary tumor (pT) staging and follow-up of 22 patients with LAMNs confined to the appendix were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 22 patients with LAMNs, 14 were pTis (eight pTis^m and six pTis^f), six were pT3, and two were pT4a. The appendiceal diameter was significantly larger for pTis^f than for pTis^m. The interval between first symptoms and surgery was longer for pTis^f than for pTis^m, but not significantly different. No significant differences were found between the pT stages and appendiceal diameter or in the interval between the first symptoms and surgery. Pathomorphologically, the epithelial structures were mainly flat (100%), undulating or scalloped (82%); a few showed filiform villous hyperplasia (46%), and seven (32%) had serrated lesions in the background. Diverticula may be associated with LAMNs, and the location of acellular mucin caused by diverticula affected the pT stage of the LAMNs. The immunohistochemistry information showed the same pattern with cytokeratin 7 (CK7) negative, cytokeratin 20 (CK20) positive and caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX-2) positive. No lymph node metastasis was found. The lack of treatment guidelines for LAMNs confined to the appendix and different acceptances of patients of preventive intervention led to varied clinical treatments. However, we found no short-term benefits of prophylactic extended resection or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

LAMNs confined to the appendix are rare and must be differentiated from serrated lesions and diverticula. LAMNs with different pT stages have inert biological behavior. Determining the long-term effects of preventive treatment on survival and recurrence requires more data and a longer follow-up.