Long-term quality of life after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: A survivorship analysis.

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) has a negative impact on patients' physical and mental health, decreasing quality of life (QoL). Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC (CRS + HIPEC) is the only potentially curative option for PC. However, it can be an aggressive procedure requiring multivisceral resection, particularly involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Its impact on long-term QoL remains poorly established.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term impact of CRS + HIPEC on both generic and GI QoL in our Centre and to compare generic QoL results with standard values for the Portuguese Population (PtP).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A single-center retrospective analysis was performed including all patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC with curative intent between 2016 and 2020. All selected patients completed three QoL questionnaires: the SF-36, the Gastrointestinal QoL Index (GIQLI), and the EORTC QLQ-C30.

RESULTS

Mean time between CRS + HIPEC and the QoL survey was 66 ± 19 months. The median SF-36 scores, evaluating generic QoL, were very high, and no differences were found when compared with standard values for the Portuguese population. Furthermore, patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC showed better QoL outcomes in Emotional Performance (EP), Mental Health (MH), Social Function (SF), and Pain (P) (p < 0.005). When evaluating GI-specific QoL, both the GIQLI and EORTC QLQ-C30 reflected few or no GI symptoms (GIQLI ≥3; EORTC QLQ-C30 0-33). When specifically analysing patients who underwent GI resection, some GI symptoms were more prevalent, although infrequent, with no significant differences between groups.

CONCLUSION

CRS + HIPEC does not appear to have a significant long-term negative impact on either generic QoL or specific GI parameters.