Influence of modern systemic therapies as adjunct to cytoreduction and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of modern systemic therapies and its role as palliative or curative therapy for patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis with an emphasis on patient selection with the colorectal Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS). METHODS: From three specialized treatment centers, patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis were identified between December 1988 to December 2009 to receive best supportive care, standard, or modern systemic therapies. Intent was classified as palliative or curative (if treated by cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy). Patients were stratified according to the PSDSS. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Palliative and curative treatment achieved a median survival of 9 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.9-12.8) and 38 (95% CI 30.2-45.2) months, respectively (P < 0.001). The type of chemotherapy in the palliative and curative group influenced outcome (P < 0.001, P = 0.011, respectively). In the palliative group, PSDSS I/II had a median survival of 24 (95% CI 15.6-32.6) and PSDSS III/IV had a median survival of 6 (95% CI 4.9-8.0) months (P < 0.001). In the curative group, PSDSS I/II had a median survival of 49 (95% CI 40.0-58.3) and PSDSS III/IV had a median survival of 31 (95% CI 20.4-40.9) months (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Modern systemic therapies were associated with improved outcome in patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis treated systemically alone or with cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Preoperative evaluation with the PSDSS may improve patient selection and optimize outcomes.

Evaluation of best supportive care and systemic chemotherapy as treatment stratified according to the retrospective peritoneal surface disease severity score (PSDSS) for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin.

BACKGROUND: We evaluate the long-term survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) treated with systemic chemotherapy regimens, and the impact of the of the retrospective peritoneal disease severity score (PSDSS) on outcomes. METHODS: One hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients treated with PC from colorectal cancer between years 1987-2006 were identified from a prospective institutional database. These patients either received no chemotherapy, 5-FU/Leucovorin or Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Stratification was made according to the retrospective PSDSS that classifies PC patients based on clinically relevant factors. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparison with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Median survival was 5 months (95% CI, 3-7 months) for patients who had no chemotherapy, 11 months (95% CI, 6-9 months) for patients treated with 5 FU/LV, and 12 months (95% CI, 4-20 months) for patients treated with Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Survival differed between patients treated with chemotherapy compared to those patients who did not receive chemotherapy (p = 0.026). PSDSS staging was identified as an independent predictor for survival on multivariate analysis [RR 2.8 (95%CI 1.5-5.4); p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: A trend towards improved outcomes is demonstrated from treatment of patients with PC from colorectal cancer using modern systemic chemotherapy. The PSDSS appears to be a useful tool in patient selection and prognostication in PC of colorectal origin.

The importance of radiological controls of anastomoses after upper gastrointestinal tract surgery - a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to analyze whether routine radiological controls of anastomoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract an early detection of anastomotic leaks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 135 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal tract surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in the first group (n = 55) underwent routine radiological control of the anastomoses. In the second group (n = 80) the radiological control was only performed in case of clinical symptoms or signs of anastomotic leaks. RESULTS: The incidence of anastomotic leaks in the patients seen by us was 5.2%, equivalent to 7 of 135 patients In Group 1 leaks were seen in 4 of 55 patients (7,2%) in group 2 leaks were seen in 3 of 80 (3,8%). The radiological control of the anastomoses with contrast swallow showed the leakage in two cases. Twice the results were false negative. The sensitivity of computed tomography was 100%. DISCUSSION: Routine radiological control of anastomoses with contrast swallow only has low sensitivity. This procedure should not be performed routinely any more.The radiological control should be used in cases with signs of anastomotic leakage or with postoperatively impaired gastrointestinal passage.

A new survival model for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in tumor-bearing rats in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreduction followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) improves survival in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. Animal models are important in the evaluation of new treatment modalities. The purpose of this study was to devise an experimental setting which can be routinely used for the investigation of HIPEC in peritoneal carcinomatosis. METHODS: A new peritoneal perfusion system in tumor bearing rats were tested. For this purpose CC531 colon carcinoma cells were implanted intraperitoneally in Wag/Rija rats. After 10 days of tumor growth the animals were randomized into three groups of six animals each: group 1: control (n = 6), group 2: HIPEC with mitomycin C in a concentration of 15 mg/m2 (n = 6), group III: mitomycin C i.p. as monotherapy in a concentration of 10 mg/m2 (n = 6). After 10 days, total tumor weight and the extent of tumor spread, as classified by the modified Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI), were assessed by autopsy of the animals. RESULTS: No postoperative deaths were observed. Conjunctivitis, lethargy and loss of appetite were the main side effects in the HIPEC group. No severe locoregional or systemic toxity was observed. All control animals developed massive tumor growth. Tumor load was significantly reduced in the treatment group and was lowest in group II. CONCLUSION: The combination of hyperthermia with MMC resulted in an increased tumoricidal effect in the rat model. The presented model provides an opportunity to study the mechanism and effect of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and new drugs for this treatment modality.