Treatment of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) by cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC

M Robella1, M Vaira, A Mellano

  • 1Unit of Surgical Oncology, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment), Candiolo, Turin, Italy - manuela.robella@hotmail.it.

Minerva Chirurgica
|March 29, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) offers a feasible treatment for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), demonstrating improved survival rates with acceptable morbidity in selected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Medical Oncology

Background:

  • Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare, aggressive cancer with poor prognosis, often linked to asbestos exposure.
  • Current treatment options for DMPM are limited, and its underlying biology requires further investigation.
  • Specialized centers report improved outcomes with a novel local-regional treatment approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the survival benefit of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) for DMPM.
  • To assess the morbidity rate associated with the CRS+HIPEC procedure in DMPM patients.
  • To identify prognostic variables influencing overall survival in DMPM patients treated with CRS+HIPEC.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 42 DMPM patients underwent a standardized CRS+HIPEC procedure using cisplatin and doxorubicin.
  • The primary endpoints were overall survival and morbidity.
  • Secondary endpoints included the analysis of prognostic factors for overall survival.

Main Results:

  • The median follow-up was 72 months. Most patients (83.3%) had epithelial DMPM.
  • Complete cytoreduction (CC-0/1) was achieved in 90.4% of patients.
  • The overall morbidity rate was 35.7%, with a perioperative mortality of 7.1%. Median overall survival was 65 months (1-year: 63%, 5-year: 44%).

Conclusions:

  • CRS+HIPEC is a feasible treatment for selected DMPM patients, yielding encouraging survival rates.
  • The procedure demonstrates an acceptable morbidity profile.
  • Further research is necessary to define the optimal role and timing of CRS+HIPEC in DMPM management.

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