Surgical cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis arising from the appendix

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) originating in the appendix is a rare disease for which the long-term prognosis is poor. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of an aggressive treatment approach used in our institution in the last decade.

We prospectively collected and analyzed data from all patients with PC. Treatment consisted of complete surgical cytoreduction of the tumour followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was either early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We used Ronnett's classification for tumour grading (disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis = grade 0, peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis with intermediate features = grade 1 and peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis = grade 2).

From September 1997 to June 2005, 37 patients underwent laparotomy with curative intent; 13 received EPIC and 11 HIPEC. Thirteen patients could not have complete cytoreductive surgery and received no intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The estimated 5-year overall survival was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34%-77%) for all patients, 58% (95% CI 30%-86%) for patients who underwent EPIC and 60% (95% CI 10%-100%) for patients who underwent HIPEC (p = 0.97). Histologic grade was an important prognostic indicator as all patients with grade 0 tumours survived whereas no patients with grade 2 tumours survived (p < 0.001). Patients with grade 1 tumours had an estimated 87% (95% CI 64%-100%) 5-year overall survival. There was no mortality attributed to surgery. The overall complication rate was 36%, including fistulas (16%), intra-abdominal abscesses (12%) and hemorrhage (9%).

This therapeutic approach seems both feasible and safe in select patients. Patients with high-grade tumours are poor candidates for this treatment.