Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastases in an elderly population: outcomes from a single centre

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of elderly patients with resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) is increasing. This study aimed to compare short and long-term outcomes of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for CRPM in patients above and below 70 years of age.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, 10-year analysis of 90-day major morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Thirty-two (21.3%) of 150 consecutive patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC during the study period were aged 70 and older. PCI (P = 0.04), perioperative chemotherapy use (P < 0.01) and organ resections (rectum P = 0.04, diaphragm P = 0.03) were less in the over 70 group. There was no significant differences in major morbidity (P = 0.19) and mortality (P = 0.32). There was also no difference in 5-year overall survival (OS) (≥70: 26% vs. <70: 39%; P = 0.68) and disease-free survival (DFS) (≥70: 25% vs. <70: 14%; P = 0.22). Age above 70 was not independently associated with worse OS (HR 1.55, P = 0.20) and DFS (HR 1.07, P = 0.81).

CONCLUSION

The surgical management of CRPM appears safe and feasible in this elderly population. Appropriate selection of elderly patients for such radical intervention is reinforced by the comparable survival with those under 70.

Prognostic factors influencing survival in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for isolated colorectal peritoneal metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer confer the worst survival among all metastatic sites. The adoption of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can offer selected patients with isolated colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) a favourable long-term survival. There are numerous factors postulated to influence survival in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC. The aim of this study was to identify the key perioperative prognostic factors that influence survival in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for isolated CRPM.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate prognostic factors influencing survival in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for isolated CRPM.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies fitted the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, with 25 studies included in the meta-analysis. On pooled analysis, incomplete cytoreduction, increasing peritoneal carcinoma index (PCI) and lymph node involvement were significantly associated with a worse survival. Additionally, a rectal primary [hazard ratio (HR) 1.93, 95% CI 1.10-3.37], adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54-0.93) and perioperative grade III/IV morbidity (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17-2.16) were also found to significantly influence survival. Notably, tumour differentiation and signet ring cell histology did not influence survival on pooled analysis.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis confirms that in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for isolated CRPM, incomplete cytoreduction, high PCI and lymph node involvement have a negative influence on survival. In addition, a rectal primary, adjuvant chemotherapy use and grade III/IV morbidity are important factors that also significantly influence survival.

Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on the Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Review

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with improved survival for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CR-PM). However, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to CRS-HIPEC is poorly understood. A retrospective review of adult patients with CR-PM who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC from 2000–2017 was performed. Among 298 patients who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC, 196 (65.8%) received NAC while 102 (34.2%) underwent surgery first (SF). Patients who received NAC had lower peritoneal cancer index score (12.1 + 7.9 vs. 14.3 + 8.5, p = 0.034). There was no significant difference in grade III/IV complications (22.4% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.650), readmission (32.3% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.114), or 30-day mortality (1.5% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.411) between groups. NAC patients experienced longer overall survival (OS) (median 32.7 vs. 22.0 months, p = 0.044) but similar recurrence-free survival (RFS) (median 13.8 vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.456). After controlling for confounding factors, NAC was not independently associated with improved OS (OR 0.80) or RFS (OR 1.04). Among patients who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC for CR-PM, the use of NAC was associated with improved OS that did not persist on multivariable analysis. However, NAC prior to CRS+/-HIPEC was a safe and feasible strategy for CR-PM, which may aid in the appropriate selection of patients for aggressive cytoreductive surgery.

Perceptions in the management of colorectal peritoneal metastases: A bi-national survey of colorectal surgeons

Background

There is great variability in the uptake of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the management of colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) in Australia and New Zealand. This study aims to provide a snapshot of perceptions among colorectal surgeons in the management of CRPM.

Methods

A structured ten-question online survey was sent to all colorectal surgeons, with three questions on clinical experience and demographics, one on health economics and six on hypothetical clinical scenarios. Scores were collated and reported based on Likert scales.

Results

Eighty-one respondents (36.2%) completed the survey. Most surgeons (66.7%) strongly disagreed with offering CRS and HIPEC at all hospitals. The majority (87.7%) agreed that CRS and HIPEC offered a higher survival benefit than systemic chemotherapy in pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), and 69.1% in CRPM (comparators: 60.5% ovarian cancer, 14.8% gastric cancer). There were mixed strategies in managing low-volume, isolated peritoneal recurrences. The majority did not recommend second-look laparoscopy, but favoured operative management of Krukenberg tumours. In the presence of incidental peritoneal metastases, only 29.6% favoured biopsy only and referring the patient to a peritoneal disease centre.

Conclusions

Response rate was relatively low. In Australia and New Zealand, colorectal surgeons see a strong role for CRS and HIPEC in the management of PMP and CRPM. The role of “second look” surgery in high-risk cases is controversial and not supported. Krukenberg tumours are viewed as surgical disease. Regular updates and collaboration with peritoneal centres may help surgeons stay abreast with latest evidence in the field.