Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy treatment of colorectal peritoneal metastases: cohort analysis of high volume disease and cure rate.

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) treatment of colorectal peritoneal metastases (PM) is an established treatment alternative. The study aim was, first, to investigate the outcome of high-volume disease defined by the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) 20; second, to report the long-term disease-free survival of patients with >5 years observation.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with colorectal PM from a prospective HIPEC database between 2004 and 2010 were included, 67 patients. Clinicopathological and outcome parameters were compared between low PCI (n = 40) and high PCI (n = 27). A subgroup analysis on patients with >5 years observation was performed (n = 32). Disease-free survival after 5 years defined cure.

RESULTS

Median overall survival (OS) was 28 months, low PCI-group 33 months versus high PCI-group 17 months (P = 0.03). Median OS of patients with complete CRS (n = 56) was 30 months, low PCI-group 37 months versus high PCI-group 27 months (P = 0.2), with 5-year survival of 31% and 21%, respectively. No difference in morbidity/mortality. The cure rate was 22% in the subgroup (7/32) and 28% in those with complete CRS (7/25). Two patients in the cured group had PCI 29 and 34.

DISCUSSION: Treatment of high-volume disease may result in long-term survival and even cure. The key is to reach a complete CRS. The overall cure rate is 22%.