Toxicity and morbility after isolated lower limb perfusion in 242 chemo-hyperthermal treatments for cutaneous melanoma: the experience of the Tuscan Reference Centre.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the results concerning the regional and systemic toxicity and complications in 242 chemo-hyperthermal treatments (HILPs) for lower limb melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 HILPs (G-A) were performed with mild HT plus L-PAM (10 mg/lt) +/- D-actimomycin; 74 HILPs (G-B) with true HT (40-41.8 degrees C) plus L-PAM (10 mg/lt) +/- D-act; 108 HILPs (G-C) with true HT plus L-PAM (10 mg/lt) +/- D-act plus L-PAM (5 mg/lt) additional bolus. RESULTS: Limb toxicity was very low in G-A and in G-B; increasing toxicity (grade III = 37%) in G-C; no grade IV statistical difference was registered in all three groups, with percentage values among 1.6% and 2.7%. Systemic toxicity showed itself only in the haemopoietic parameters. No differences were registered in G-B vs G-A group. In G-C vs G-B a significative increase of systemic toxicity was seen in grade 3 (p < 0.05). Postoperative complications were acceptable. Local and systemic side-effects were transient; no permanent neurological limb deficit was registered. The postoperative mortality was recorded in 3/182 HILPs (1.6%) of the G-B and G-C groups. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that the technical implementations reduced the occurrence and the severity of the side effects and complications. The essential requirement for HILP is the quality assurance of the procedures. Although higher regional and systemic toxicity were observed in the G-C group caused by L-PAM additional bolus, the safeness of the procedures under the true hyperthermal regimen and the time increase of the high L-PAM concentration have assured the treatment reliability along with the increased clinical efficacy expectations of the treatments.

[Integrated therapeutic strategy in large bowel neoplastic occlusion. An innovative therapeutic protocol]. / Strategia terapeutica integrata nelle neoplasie occludenti del grosso intestino. Un protocollo terapeutico innovativo.

BACKGROUND: Occlusive complication is a common event in the colo-rectal cancer (20-30% of cases). Operative mortality and 5 yrs survival of not occlusive cancer vs occlusive cancer is 11% vs 23% and 45% vs 25% rispectively. In occlusive cancer the level of parietal infiltration affects considerably the local and peritoneal recurrence. 50% of all patients underwent a surgical re-operation for colo-rectal cancer have peritoneal neoplastic implant. AIM: The resolution of occlusive complication in immediate or delayed urgency with decompressive derivation, it allows to perform an integrated treatment of choice that it could guarantee the oncological radical procedure. RATIONALE-METHODS: The intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) combined with radical or cytoriductive surgery performs its action through sinergistic effects of high dosage and concentration of drugs and hyperthermia. These agents perform a cell killing with a direct contact against micro and/or macroscopic neoplastic residue. EXPECTED RESULTS: In radical surgery with curative intent, the association with IPHC ("preventive" adjuvant) has got as objective the distruction of microscopic local or peritoneal metastasis. In occlusive cancer with synchronous or metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis, the performance of the cytoreductive surgery with IPHC ("therapeutic" adjuvant) is the only treatment that improves the survival and the quality of remainig life. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical results reported by many Istitutions indicates that the 2-5 yrs survivals are 45-60% and 20-30% rispectively. These data lead us to believe that an optimal eradication of micro and/or macroscopic peritoneal spreading could be optained also in occlusive colo-rectal cancer.