Peritoneal Metastasis: Current Status and Treatment Options

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Peritoneal metastasis (PM) from gastrointestinal cancers was historically considered a terminal diagnosis.
• Recent advancements in systemic treatments and loco-regional therapies have shifted this paradigm.
• Improved understanding of prognostic factors is crucial for managing PM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the management of peritoneal metastasis.
• To explore novel therapeutic approaches and underlying mechanisms for treating PM.
• To highlight the impact of multimodal treatment strategies on patient survival.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on peritoneal metastasis.
• Analysis of multimodal treatment strategies including radical surgery and HIPEC.
• Exploration of molecular characterization of PM.

Main Results:

• Multimodal treatments, including radical surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), have demonstrated significant improvements in patient survival.
• Novel loco-regional therapies offer new hope for managing PM.
• Molecular characterization is paving the way for targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

• Peritoneal metastasis is no longer a universally terminal diagnosis due to advancements in treatment.
• Multimodal approaches combining surgery and HIPEC are effective in prolonging survival.
• Ongoing research into molecular mechanisms and novel therapies holds promise for future treatment of PM.