Initial Experience Using Laparoscopic HIPEC for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis: Safety and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal metastases (PM) develop in approximately 20% of patients with gastric cancer (GC). For selected patients, treatment of PM with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown promising results. This report aims to describe the safety and perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic HIPEC for GC/PM.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients who had GC and PM treated with laparoscopic HIPEC (2018-2022). The HIPEC involved cisplatin and mitomycin C (MMC) or MMC alone. The primary end point was perioperative safety.

RESULTS

The 22 patients in this study underwent 27 procedures. The mean age was 58 ± 13 years. All the patients were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 or 1 (55 and 45%, respectively). Five patients underwent a second laparoscopic HIPEC, with a median of 126 days (interquartile range [IQR], 117-166 days) between procedures. The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) was 4 (IQR, 2-9), and the median hospital stay was 2 days (IQR, 1-3 days). No 30-day readmissions or complications occurred. Eight patients (36%) underwent gastrectomy (CRS ± HIPEC). After an average follow-up period of 11 months, 7 (32%) of the 22 patients were alive. The median overall survival was 11 months (IQR, 195-739 days) from the initial procedure and 19.3 months (IQR, 431-1204 days) from the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic HIPEC appears to be safe with minimal perioperative complications. Approximately one third of the patients undergoing initial laparoscopic HIPEC ultimately proceeded to cytoreduction and gastrectomy. Preliminary survival data from this highly selected cohort suggest that the addition of laparoscopic HIPEC to systemic chemotherapy does not compromise other treatment options. These initial results suggest that laparoscopic HIPEC may offer benefit to patients with GC and PM and aid in the selection of patients who may benefit from curative-intent resection.

Isolated limb perfusion with melphalan as treatment for regionally advanced melanoma of the limbs: results of 60 patients treated in Finland during 2007-2018

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is widely accepted as treatment for recurrent melanoma limited to the limbs. The use of ILP has decreased in recent years with the introduction of potentially effective new systemic therapies. We evaluated retrospectively if ILP still may be a treatment option in locally advanced melanoma. In Finland, ILP is centralized to the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Helsinki University Hospital. We included all ILP patients treated at our hospital between 2007 and 2018. Clinical factors and treatment outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. Altogether 60 patients received ILP. Toxicity was mostly transient. The overall response rate was 77% with 35% complete responses and 42% partial responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.1 months (range 0.6-116.5 months) and the median melanoma-specific survival (MSS) was 29.9 months (range 3.5-138.7 months). Patients with CR had superior median PFS (19.7 months, range 2.5-116.5 vs. 4.5 months, range 0.6-39.7 months, P = 0.00003) and median MSS (median MSS not reached vs. 25.9 months, range 3.5-98.7 months, P = 0.0005) compared to other responders. Younger patients (<69 years) had longer median MSS (47.2 months, range 3.5-138.7 vs. 25.9 months, range 8.4-125.4 months, P = 0.015) compared to patients over 69 years. Treatment outcomes of Finnish ILP patients were comparable to earlier studies and some long-term survivors were observed in the group of complete responders. Median PFS and OS were longer for patients achieving a CR. Treatment was well-tolerated also among older patients.

Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes After Isolated Limb Infusion for Locoregionally Metastatic Melanoma: An International Multicenter Analysis

BACKGROUND

Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is a minimally invasive procedure for delivering high-dose regional chemotherapy to patients with locally advanced or in-transit melanoma located on a limb. The current international multicenter study evaluated the perioperative and long-term oncologic outcomes for patients who underwent ILI for stage 3B or 3C melanoma.

METHODS

Patients undergoing a first-time ILI for stage 3B or 3C melanoma (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] 7th ed) between 1992 and 2018 at five Australian and four United States of America (USA) tertiary referral centers were identified. The primary outcome measures included treatment response, in-field (IPFS) and distant progression-free survival (DPFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

A total of 687 first-time ILIs were performed (stage 3B: n = 383, 56%; stage 3C; n = 304, 44%). Significant limb toxicity (Wieberdink grade 4) developed in 27 patients (3.9%). No amputations (grade 5) were performed. The overall response rate was 64.1% (complete response [CR], 28.9%; partial response [PR], 35.2%). Stable disease (SD) occurred in 14.5% and progressive disease (PD) in 19.8% of the patients. The median follow-up period was 47 months, with a median OS of 38.2 months. When stratified by response, the patients with a CR or PR had a significantly longer median IPFS (21.9 vs 3.0 months; p < 0.0001), DPFS (53.6 vs 12.7 months; p < 0.0001), and OS (46.5 vs 24.4 months; p < 0.0001) than the nonresponders (SD + PD).

CONCLUSION

This study is the largest to date reporting long-term outcomes of ILI for locoregionally metastatic melanoma. The findings demonstrate that ILI is effective and safe for patients with stage 3B or 3C melanoma confined to a limb. A favorable response to ILI is associated with significantly longer IFPS, DPFS, and OS.

Is advanced age a hesitation for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in colorectal cancer?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in elderly patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Patients who underwent curative complete CRS and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer with minimum follow-up of 24 months were included in the analysis. Charlson comorbidity index and ECOG performance status were used to evaluate preoperative condition. Patients were tiered into two groups according to age (<65 and ≥65 years). Postoperative morbidity, mortality, recurrence, and overall survival were compared between groups.

RESULTS

One-hundred patients were meeting the inclusion criteria. Median age was 56 years (ranging, 20-86). The origin of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) was colon in 77 and rectum in 23 patients. There were 31 patients in the elderly group. Mean hospital stay was 1711.8 and 16.814.3 days in young and elderly groups (p=0.937). In young patients, postoperative morbidity was seen in 26 (37.6%) patients versus 9 (29%) patients in elderly group (p=0.272). Mortality was higher in elderly group (n=4, 12.9%) than in the younger group (n=5, 7.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.287). Median follow-up was 25 months (ranging, 2-112). Local and/or distant recurrence occurred in 30 (43.4%) patients in the young group and 9 (29%) patients in elderly group (p=0.169). Two-years disease-free survival was similar: 67.1% in the young and 74% in the elderly groups (p=0.713).

CONCLUSIONS

CRS and HIPEC offer comparable oncologic outcome in meticulously selected medically-fit elderly patients without increased postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Is it the right moment to include hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy as standard in ovarian cancer management? A reappraisal

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women and often is diagnosed at an advanced stage with diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis. Since it is mainly confined to the peritoneal cavity, even after recurrence, it is an ideal target for loco-regional therapy. The standard therapeutic strategy of advanced ovarian cancer is cytoreductive surgery followed by systemic chemotherapy. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy used as adjuvant therapy has shown a survival benefit in ovarian cancer. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has several advantages over simple intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This has prompted the use of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by HIPEC in the management of ovarian cancer as a part of first and second line treatment for recurrent disease.

The Effect of Temperature and Perfusion Time on Response, Toxicity, and Survival in Patients with In-transit Melanoma Metastases Treated with Isolated Limb Perfusion

BACKGROUND

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is used to treat in-transit metastases of melanoma of the extremities when surgical excision is not possible. The optimal setting concerning temperature and perfusion time is unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze these factors concerning their effects on response, toxicity, and survival.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 284 consecutive stage III melanoma patients treated with melphalan ILP for the first time in our institution, during a 31-year period (July 1986-May 2017), was performed. Our series was divided in four time periods, according to perfusion temperature and duration. Demographical data, stage, number, and size of lesions were retrieved from our prospective database.

RESULTS

Overall response (OR) rate 83% and a complete response (CR) rate of 59%. Significant predictive factors for CR in multivariate analysis were non-bulky tumor, fewer metastases, and a perfusion time of 120 min. Predictive factors for increased local toxicity were femoral ILP and higher perfusion temperatures. The median overall survival was 30 months, and the independent negative prognostic factors were lymph-node status, bulky tumors, response, upper limb perfusion, and 120 min perfusion at 39-40 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern ILP uses diminished perfusion time and lower temperature, leading to a decrease in toxicity. However, our data also show a decrease in response, which indicates that optimal perfusion time and temperature regimen remain to be determined.

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Urachus Origin Treated by Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): An International Registry of 36 Patients

PURPOSE

Peritoneal carcinomatosis or pseudomyxoma peritonei from urachus is a rare form of presentation, often diagnosed at an advanced state of tumor burden. Because of its rarity, little is known about its natural history, prognosis, or optimal treatment. We searched a large international multicenter database of peritoneal surface disease to identify cases of peritoneal carcinomatosis of urachus that were treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) at expert centers. The aim is to improve knowledge and understanding of the disease and standardize its treatment.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter international database was retrospectively searched to identify all patients with urachus tumor and peritoneal metastases who underwent CRS and HIPEC through the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI). Postoperative complications, long-term results, and principal prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

The analysis included 36 patients. After median follow-up of 48 months, median overall survival (OS) was 58.5 months. Three- and 5-year OS was 55.4 and 46.2%, respectively. Patients who underwent complete macroscopic CRS had significantly better survival than those treated with incomplete CRS, with median OS not achieved and of 20.1 months, respectively [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4-30.5, p < 0.001]. There were no postoperative deaths, and 37.9% of patients had major complications.

CONCLUSION

CRS and HIPEC may increase long-term survival in selected patients with peritoneal metastases of urachus origin, especially when complete CRS is achieved.

[Application study on regional infusion chemotherapy by celiac trunk during operation in advanced gastric cancer patients]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of intraoperative regional infusion chemotherapy by celiac trunk in advanced gastric cancer patients.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-six patients with advanced gastric cancer(stageII(-III() were screened from database of Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Taizhou People's Hospital between January 2008 and December 2010 who underwent R0 resection and D2 lymphadenectomy, received postoperative chemotherapy(XELOX or FOLFOX), and had complete follow-up data. They were divided into infusion chemotherapy group (65 cases) and control group (61 cases) according to regional infusion chemotherapy or not (fluorine 1 000 mg and cisplatin 60 mg). The side effects of chemotherapy, parameters related to the operation, long-term survival and relapse rate were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The baseline data between the two groups were comparable(all P>0.05). Postoperative III( and IIII( adverse reaction of chemotherapy was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The time of postoperative intestinal function recovery [(67.9±14.8) hours vs. (68.9±15.0) hours, t=-0.380, P=0.705), volume of postoperative 1-week drainage [(66.1±17.1) ml vs.(61.9±18.2) ml, t=1.478, P=0.142], recent morbidity of complications[55.4%(36/65) vs. 49.2%(30/61), χ²=0.256, P=0.613], and the long-term morbidity of complications [16.9% (11/65) vs. 14.8% (9/61), χ²=0.111, P=0.739] were all not significantly different between the two groups. The 3-year survival rate and 3-year relapse-free survival rate in infusion chemotherapy group were significantly higher than those in control group(58.4% vs. 37.7%, χ²=5.382, P=0.020; 58.4% vs. 34.4%, χ²=6.636, P=0.010).

CONCLUSION

Regional infusion chemotherapy by celiac trunk during operation for advanced gastric cancer patients is safe and feasible, and can reduce the risk of local recurrence and improve survival rate.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastrointestinal tumors: Where are we now?

The peritoneal stromal tissue which provides a rich source of growth factors and chemokines is a favorable environment for tumor proliferation. The pathophysiological mechanism of peritoneal carcinomatosis is an individual sequence consisting of genetic and environmental factors and remains controversial. The natural history of the disease reveals a poor median prognosis of approximately 6 mo; however aggressive surgery and multimodal treatment options can improve oncologic outcomes. Considering peritoneal carcinomatosis as though it is a locoregional disease but not a metastatic process, cytoreductive surgery and and intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been a curative option during recent years. Cytoreductive surgery implies a series of visceral resections and peritonectomy procedures. Although the aim of cytoreductive surgery is to eliminate all macroscopic disease, viable tumor cells may remain in the peritoneal cavity. At that point, intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the macroscopic disease elimination to microscopic disease elimination. The successful treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis requires a comprehensive management plan including proper patient selection, complete resection of all visible disease, perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and postoperative systemic chemotherapy. Surgical and oncologic outcomes are strictly associated with extent of the tumor, completeness of cytoreduction and patient-related factors as well as multidisciplinary management and experience of the surgical team. In this review, pathophysiology and current management of peritoneal carcinomatosis originating from gastrointestinal tumors are discussed according to the latest literature.

Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastases

AIM: To systematically review the available evidence regarding cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) for colorectal peritoneal metastases (CPM).

METHODS: An electronic literature search was carried out to identify publications reporting oncological outcome data (overall survival and/or disease free survival and/or recurrence rates) following CRS and IPC for treatment of CPM. Studies reporting outcomes following CRS and IPC for cancer subtypes other than colorectal were only included if data were reported independently for colorectal cancer-associated cases; in addition studies reporting outcomes for peritoneal carcinomatosis of appendiceal origin were excluded.

RESULTS: Twenty seven studies, published between 1999 and 2013 with a combined population of 2838 patients met the predefined inclusion criteria. Included studies comprised 21 case series, 5 case-control studies and 1 randomised controlled trial. Four studies provided comparative oncological outcome data for patients undergoing CRS in combination with IPC vs systemic chemotherapy alone. The primary indication for treatment was CPM in 96% of cases (2714/2838) and recurrent CPM (rCPM) in the remaining 4% (124/2838). In the majority of included studies (20/27) CRS was combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). In 3 studies HIPEC was used in combination with early post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC), and 2 studies used EPIC only, following CRS. Two studies evaluated comparative outcomes with CRS + HIPEC vs CRS + EPIC for treatment of CPM. The delivery of IPC was performed using an “open” or “closed” abdomen approach in the included studies.

CONCLUSION: The available evidence presented in this review indicates that enhanced survival times can be achieved for CPM after combined treatment with CRS and IPC.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for managing peritoneal carcinomatosis from endometrial carcinoma: a single-center experience of 6 cases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy worldwide. Prognosis of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from endometrial carcinoma is deadly, with an estimated median survival not exceeding 12 months. The objective of this study was to report our experience with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for managing PC from primary and recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS

A retrospective analysis of 6 patients with PC arising from endometrial cancer, who were managed with CRS and HIPEC at our referral tertiary care center, from November 2010 to August 2013.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients underwent CRS and HIPEC. CRS was performed using standard peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections directed toward the complete elimination of tumors from ab.dominopelvic cavity. HIPEC was performed with cisplatin (50 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (15 mg/m2) and allowed to circulate in abdominopelvic cavity for 90 minutes at 41.0 to 42.2°C.

RESULTS

Two patients with primary endometrial carcinoma and 4 patients with recurrent endometrial carcino.ma confined to peritoneal cavity were studied. Complete cytoreduction (CC-0) was achieved in 5 patients. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages and histopathological types were as follows: IB endometrioid adenocarcinomas (n=1), IC mesonephric carcinomas (n=1), IIIA endometrioid adenocarcino.mas (n=2), IIIA papillary serous carcinomas (n=1), and IIIC clear-cell carcinomas (n=1). Anastomotic leak (grade I) was the most commonly encountered postoperative complication. Two patients developed grade IV compli.cations due to septicemia and pulmonary embolism. No intraoperative mortality occurred. Postoperatively, all patients received chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel). In 1 patient, the clear-cell carcinoma histologic lesion relapsed within 6 months; the metastases spread to hepatic, pelvic, and mesenteric lymph nodes, and the patient died 5 months later. One patient with cytoreduction completeness of CC-2 developed hepatic metastases within 3 months and is still alive at a follow-up up 6 months. Remaining patients (n=4) are alive and disease free without evidence of recurrence of follow-ups at 35, 34, 19, and 7 months.

CONCLUSION

CRS and HIPEC are well-tolerated and feasibly promising management modalities in PC from primary and recurrent endometrial carcinoma. Further research is needed for in-depth analysis.

A technique for isolated liver perfusion in the rat with survival and results of cytotoxic drug perfusion on liver tumor growth

The toxic side effects of many chemotherapeutic agents prevent their use in high concentrations. Isolated perfusion techniques have been used most commonly for malignancies involving the extremities, but recently also for irresectable liver tumors. This paper describes a technique for in vivo isolated liver perfusion for 30 min with oxygenated blood through the portal vein and hepatic artery simultaneously. There was a 14% mortality rate. There was some initial hepatocellular death, which resolved quickly and did not seriously affect liver function. There was only a small leak from the perfusion system to the systemic circulation. We tested the system on an experimental liver tumor from a colonic adenocarcinoma. Perfusion with added 5-FU in a toxic dose of 70 mg/kg to the medium significantly retarded tumor growth evaluated 10 days after perfusion compared to rats perfused without 5-FU. This model closely resembles the technique applied clinically and will enable further work on effects of perfusion in an experimental rat liver tumor model.

A simplified surgical technical procedure for intra-arterial chemotherapy in secondary liver cancer. Experience in 50 patients

The purpose of this study was to prove that only one intra-arterial catheter for hepatic chemotherapy can perfuse the whole liver in all anatomic cases, including cases with aberrant or accessory hepatic arteries. The ligations of various hepatic arteries induce the immediate aperture of intra hepatic arterial shunts and a total revascularization of the whole liver by the only remaining hepatic artery. Based on the experience from 50 consecutive cases of surgical implantation of intra-arterial catheters for local chemotherapy, the simplified technique is analysed principally as a function of anatomical variations of the hepatic artery. The usual procedure (catheter implanted into the gastro-duodenal artery) was performed in 58% of the cases, while in 28% of the cases this was possible only after section of a right and/or a left aberrant or accessory hepatic artery. Unusual implantations were necessary in 14% of the cases to ensure complete perfusion of liver. The evaluation was based on three criteria: intra-operative perfusion of fluorescein, post-operative scan with 99mTc macro-aggregated albumin and objective clinical responses after intra-arterial chemotherapy. The perfusion of the whole liver was good in all cases except one. Unusual procedures gave the same clinical objective responses after intra-arterial chemotherapy (61%) as usual procedures (48%) (chi-square: P = 0.40).

A technique for isolation perfusion of the canine liver with survival

A technique of isolation perfusion of the canine liver was developed as a model for treating cancer limited to the liver. Preservation of hepatic functional integrity was dependent on maintenance of near physiologic conditions for the perfusion. Flow to the liver, 1 ml/min/g, was provided by gravity to the portal vein at two thirds total flow, and by pump to the hepatic artery at one third total flow. Utilizing the technique described, six dogs died 4-12 hr after a 1-hr perfusion. The dogs received Ringer's lactate solution IV and had a rising blood lactate to greater than 9 mM and a rising lactate/pyruvate ratio. After changing IV fluids to nonlactate containing solutions, 4/6 dogs survived a 1-hr perfusion at 37 degrees. Blood lactate concentrations remained below 6 mM (alpha less than 0.05) during perfusion, and the lactate/pyruvate ratios remained in a physiologic range on comparison to the nonsurvivors (alpha less than 0.05). Mild elevations occurred in the SGOT and SGPT with the peak on the first postoperative day of 93 +/- 54 and 79 +/- 56, respectively, but returned to normal within 4-7 days. Perfusate chemistries lactate, pyruvate, glucose, total alpha-amino acids, ketone bodies, SGOT, and SGPT demonstrated that hepatic functional integrity was maintained during the 1-hr perfusion. Hepatic function as assessed was no different between survivors and nonsurvivors. Hypoglycemia (glucose less than 2 mM) contributed to the two deaths. Tolerance of the dog to the temporary anhepatic state may be the limiting factor to prolonged perfusions.