Chicago Consensus Working Group. The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Palliative Care Considerations

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy postoperative symptomatology: palliative care impact

OBJECTIVES

Palliative care (PC) for patients with advanced cancer has been associated with improved symptom burden and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to characterise postoperative symptoms of cytoreductive surgery (CRS)/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) patients and to assess PC impact by analysing symptom burden before and after PC interventions.

METHODS

CRS/HIPEC patients with two PC visits within 5 months postoperatively (2016-2021) at a tertiary care centre were identified from a retrospective database. For each patient, documentation of QoL-associated symptoms at the initial PC visit and changes in symptomatology at the second PC visit were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS

46 patients were included in this study. Median age was 62.2 (range 31.9-84.6) years. Median peritoneal cancer index was 23.5 (range 0-39). The most common histologies were colorectal (32.6%) and appendiceal (30.4%). Symptoms most frequently reported were pain (84.8%), fatigue (54.3%) and appetite loss/change (52.2%). Following PC interventions, most symptoms were stable or improved. The mean number of symptoms per patient was 3.7, with an average of 3.5 improved/stable and 0.5 worse/new onset at follow-up (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

CRS/HIPEC patients experienced a high QoL-associated symptom burden. Following postoperative PC interventions, significantly more symptoms were reported as improved/stable, compared with worse/new onset.

Palliative Care and Characterization of Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery/Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Palliative care for advanced cancer patients has been associated with improvements in symptom management and quality of life (QoL). Patients with peritoneal metastases undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) often report symptoms adversely affecting QoL. We characterized and compared symptoms elucidated by palliative care versus surgical providers in this setting.

METHODS

CRS/HIPEC patients who saw both surgical oncology and palliative care providers from 2016 to 2020 at a tertiary care center were identified from a retrospective database. Documentation of QoL-associated symptoms in surgical oncology and palliative care visits was recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients were included in this study. The most common primary histologies were appendiceal (36.4%) and colorectal (28.8%). Symptoms most frequently reported by palliative care were pain (60.2%) and fatigue (54.2%). The median number of symptoms documented was three (2, 5) in palliative care notes and two (0, 3) in surgical oncology notes (P < 0.001). Palliative care providers documented most symptoms statistically more frequently than surgical oncology providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC experienced various QoL-associated symptoms. Palliative care providers elicited more symptoms than surgical oncology providers. Additional studies are needed to explore the impact on outcomes of perioperative palliative care in this challenging patient population.

Management of Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction: Is Intestinal Bypass Effective Palliation?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Malignant small bowel obstruction (mSBO) is a common consequence of advanced malignancies. Surgical consultation is common, however data on the outcomes following an operation are lacking. We investigated a specific operative approach-intestinal bypass-to determine the outcomes associated with this intervention.

METHODS

Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of mSBO who underwent intestinal bypass between 2015 and 2021 were included. Isolated colonic obstruction was excluded as was gastric outlet obstruction. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were measured, including complications, overall survival, return to oral intake, and return to intended oncologic therapy. Patients were additionally grouped as to whether the operation was performed as elective or as inpatient.

RESULTS

Overall, 55 patients were identified, with a mean age of 61.2 ± 14 years. The most common primary malignancy was colorectal cancer (65.5%) and 80% of patients had a preoperative diagnosis of metastatic disease. Small bowel to colon was the most common bypass procedure (51%). Severe complications occurred in 25.5% of patients with three in-hospital mortalities (5.5%). Survival rates at 30, 90, and 180 days were 91%, 80%, and 62%, respectively. The majority of patients were discharged to home (85.5%) and were tolerating an oral diet (74.6%). Twenty-seven patients (49.1%) returned to some form of oncologic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with mSBO face a potentially terminal condition. In this study, approximately 75% of patients who underwent intestinal bypass were able to regain the ability to eat, and 49% returned to oncologic therapy. Although retrospective, these data suggest the approach is efficacious for palliation of this difficult sequela of advanced cancer.

A Palliative Approach to Management of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Malignant Ascites

In addition to severe, life-limiting complications such as malignant bowel obstruction, fistulae, and malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis frequently causes life-impacting symptoms such as pain, nausea, anorexia, cachexia, and fatigue. A variety of medical, interventional, and surgical therapies are now available for management of both complications and symptoms. Although surgery in this population is often associated with a relatively high risk of morbidity and mortality, operative intervention can offer effective palliative treatment in appropriately selected patients. Early involvement of palliative care specialists as part of a multidisciplinary team is essential to providing optimal, holistic care of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, Breast, and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of desmoplastic small round cell tumor, breast, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor specifically related to peritoneal surface malignancy. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness in the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of peritoneal mesothelioma. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness of the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Colorectal Metastases

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of colorectal cancer specifically as it relates to the management of peritoneal surface malignancy. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness in the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of neuroendocrine tumors specifically related to the management of peritoneal surface malignancy. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness in the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Ovarian Neoplasms

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of ovarian neoplasms specifically related to the management of peritoneal surface malignancy. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness in the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Gastric Metastases

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of gastric cancer specifically as it relates to the management of peritoneal surface malignancy. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness of the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.

The Chicago Consensus on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Management of Appendiceal Neoplasms

The Chicago Consensus Working Group provides multidisciplinary recommendations for the management of appendiceal neoplasms specifically related to the management of peritoneal surface malignancies. These guidelines are developed with input from leading experts including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, palliative care physicians, and pharmacists. These guidelines recognize and address the emerging need for increased awareness in the appropriate management of peritoneal surface disease. They are not intended to replace the quest for higher levels of evidence.