Palliation of mucinous appendiceal neoplasms with peritoneal metastases with total abdominal colectomy

Incomplete cytoreduction for mucinous appendiceal neoplasms is often required to temporarily alleviate symptoms. The surgical technology for this intervention may be complex and result in extensive morbidity and even mortality. Knowledgeable patient selection for this surgery is mandatory.

A database was used to identify patients who had palliative surgery that included total abdominal colectomy (TAC). Clinical- and treatment-related variables were assessed for their impact on overall survival.

Seventy-eight patients had an incomplete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) that included a TAC. The median survival was 2.5 years and the median follow-up was 2 years. Patients with symptoms of abdominal distention and ascites showed a reduced prognosis (p = 0.0254). The low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) and mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma intermediate type (MACA-Int) grouped together showed a prolonged survival (p = 0.0003). MACA with positive lymph nodes showed a reduced survival (p = 0.0009) when compared to MACA patients without positive lymph nodes. A peritoneal cancer index of 1-30 versus >30 and completeness of cytoreduction score of 2 versus 3 were not significant.

TAC with end ileostomy was used as a treatment option to provide palliation of patients having an incomplete CRS for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. With LAMN or MACA-Int, median survival was 5.0 years. The surgery can be performed with a morbidity of 9.0% and mortality of 2.6%. Although not considered a palliative option in the past, these data suggest TAC may be used with acceptable results in this group of patients.