Pseudomyxoma peritonei: a report of eight cases.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of surgical treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Referral center. PATIENTS Eight patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei, five with mucinous tumors of the ovary and three with mucoceles of the appendix. INTERVENTION All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery with removal of source i.e. panhysterectomy with appendicectomy in 5 and appendicectomy in 3. Systemic chemotherapy was used in 6 and systemic plus intraperitoneal chemotherapy in one case. RESULTS: Over 18 to 86 months' follow up, two patients died (at 18 and 24 mo) and 2 are alive with recurrence. Recurrence occurred only in those with inadequate clearance of mucinous material at the initial operation. The remaining 4 patients are free of disease. CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical therapy with-chemotherapy is effective in providing long-term relief or cure in pseudomyxoma peritonei.