Technical aspects of cytoreductive surgery

The genetic profile and molecular subtypes of human pseudomyxoma peritonei and appendiceal mucinous neoplasms: a systematic review

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare, progressive, slowly growing neoplastic condition which is poorly understood, with a 5-year progression-free survival rate as low as 48%. PMP is most commonly caused by appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMN), and understanding their genetic biology and pathogenicity may allow for the development of better novel systemic treatments to target key deleterious mutations and the implicated pathways. The primary aim of this systematic review was to identify the genetic profile of histologically confirmed human PMP or AMN samples. The secondary aim was to identify whether genetic marks could be used to predict patient survival. Ovid EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies investigating the genetic profile of histologically-confirmed human PMP or AMN samples. We review findings of 46 studies totalling 2181 tumour samples. The most frequently identified somatic gene mutations in patients with PMP included KRAS (38-100%), GNAS (17-100%), and TP53 (5-23%); however, there were conflicting results of their effect on survival. Three studies identified molecular subtypes based on gene expression profiles classifying patients into oncogene-enriched, immune-enriched, and mixed molecular subtypes with prognostic value. This review summarises the current literature surrounding genetic aberrations in PMP and AMNs and their potential utility for targeted therapy. Given the recent advances in clinical trials to directly target KRAS and GNAS mutations in other cancers, we propose a rationale to explore these mutations in future pre-clinical studies in PMP with a view for a future clinical trial.

Bowel Anastomosis After or Before HIPEC: A Comparative Study in Patients Undergoing CRS+HIPEC for Peritoneal Surface Malignancy

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) remains a dreaded complication. There is no consensus statement regarding the optimal timing for bowel anastomoses to perform after or before HIPEC.

METHODS

Patients who underwent CRS+HIPEC and had at least one bowel anastomosis were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate if timing of anastomosis done after or before HIPEC had an impact on bowel complication rates (anastomotic leak and perforation).

RESULTS

From 2013 to 2019, 214 of 370 patients underwent CRS+HIPEC and had at least one bowel anastomosis. Of these 214 patients, 104 and 110 patients had anastomosis after and before HIPEC, respectively. A total of 324 anastomoses were performed, with a mean of 0.87 anastomoses per patient (range 1-4). The incidence of anastomotic leaks was comparable between the pre- and post-HIPEC groups (3.6% vs. 4.8%; p > 0.05), as was the bowel complication rate (7.6% vs. 7.2%). After multivariate analysis, prior surgical score >1 (odds ratio [OR] 4.3), recurrent cancers (OR 7.4), and more than two anastomosis (OR 3.8) were considered independent risk factors for bowel complications.

CONCLUSION

Anastomosis of the bowel performed after or before HIPEC does not affect bowel complication rates (leak/perforation). Higher prior surgical score, surgery for recurrent cancers, and more than two bowel anastomosis are independent risk factors for predicting bowel complications. Prehabilitation, standardization of steps, immediate attention and repair of serosal tears, and thorough inspection of the bowel before closure helps to decrease bowel complications. The timing of anastomosis can be at the discretion of the surgeon.

Predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients submitted to cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian carcinomatosis: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the incidence of morbidity and mortality related to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and to evaluate their predictors, in patients with peritoneal metastasis of ovarian origin.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter study was carried out investigating results from eight Italian institutions. A total of 276 patients met inclusion criteria. Predictors of morbidity and mortality were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Overall morbidity was 71.4%, and severe complications occurred in 23.9% of the sample; 60-day mortality was 4.3%. According to univariate logistic regression models, grade 3-4 morbidity was related to Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.09; p<0.001), number of intraoperative blood transfusions (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.10-1.34; p<0.001), Completeness of Cytoreduction (CC) score (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.16-2.44; p=0.006) and number of anastomoses (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.00-1.73; p=0.046). However, at the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the number of intraoperative blood transfusions (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.5-1.30; p=0.004) and PCI (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.08; p=0.010) resulted as key predictors of severe morbidity. Furthermore, using multivariate logistic regression model, ECOG score (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.21-4.93; p=0.012) and the number of severe complications (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.03-4.52; p=0.042) were recorded as predictors of exitus within 60 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of CRS and HIPEC for treating peritoneal metastasis of ovarian origin has acceptable morbidity and mortality and, therefore, it can be considered as an option in selected patients.

Status of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) was previously considered an incurable disease with a poor survival outcome. As our understanding of its biology evolved, the paradigm of the management of PC from colorectal cancer (CRC) has changed, including the combination of macroscopic disease control, cytoreductive surgery (CRS), maximal regional chemotherapy to treat residual microscopic disease, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). As with many surgical innovations, CRS with HIPEC has evolved faster than data to support it, leaving many skeptics and critics. This review highlights the recent evidence of current practice and outcome of CRS with HIPEC. Furthermore, it also summarizes the ongoing clinical trials and potential future progress of this treatment modality.

Appendix-derived Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP): Molecular Profiling Toward Treatment of a Rare Malignancy

OBJECTIVES

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare malignancy originating from the appendix, characterized by disseminated mucinous tumor implants on peritoneal surfaces. We examined the role of multiplatform molecular profiling to study biomarker-guided treatment strategies for this rare malignancy.

METHODS

A total of 54 patients with appendix-derived PMP were included in the study. Tests included one or more of the following: gene sequencing (Sanger or next generation sequencing), protein expression (immunohistochemistry), and gene amplification (C/fluorescent in situ hybridization).

RESULTS

Targeted sequencing of 47 genes detected variants in KRAS (81%), GNAS (74%), SMAD4 (16%), and ATM (16%). Mutations were found at low frequencies (n=1 to 2) in APC, BRAF, PIK3CA, MLH1, and TP53. GNAS and KRAS co-occurrence was found in 87%. Protein overexpression was found in epidermal growth factor receptor (83%), cyclooxygenase-2 (73%), cMET (63%), cKIT (58%), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (58%). Immune checkpoint expression was found in 36% (programmed cell death protein 1) and 18% (programmed death-ligand 1). Surrogate markers of cell proliferation were found at low rates (TLE3 23%, TOP2A 22%), consistent with the slow-growing biology of PMP. Phosophatase and tensin homolog was intact (wild type [100%]) and positive (immunohistochemistry [80%]). Patients exhibited stable microsatellite status and mismatch repair proficiency (93%). Importantly, multidrug resistance protein expression was elevated (100% BCRP, 94% MRP1, 88% PGP). Markers for gemcitabine (RRM1), fluorouracil (TS), oxaliplatin (ERCC1), and irinotecan (TOPO1) chemosensitivities were detected at favorable rates: 93%, 87%, 77% and 65%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular profiling by multiple platforms identified potential therapies for the nontargetable KRAS-mutated population. The role of cMET-targeted therapeutics and immune checkpoint inhibitors merits further investigation. Biomarker-guided selection of cytotoxic chemotherapies may facilitate efficacy to systemic treatment.

A proposal of Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO/SBCO) for standardizing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedures in Brazil: pseudomixoma peritonei, appendiceal tumors and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

Cytoreductive surgery plus hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has emerged as a major comprehensive treatment of peritoneal malignancies and is currently the standard of care for appendiceal epithelial neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome as well as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Unfortunately, there are some worldwide variations of the cytoreductive surgery and hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy techniques since no single technique has so far demonstrated its superiority over the others. Therefore, standardization of practices might enhance better comparisons between outcomes. In these settings, the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology considered it important to present a proposal for standardizing cytoreductive surgery plus hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedures in Brazil, with a special focus on producing homogeneous data for the developing Brazilian register for peritoneal surface malignancies.

Current practice of Latin American centers in the treatment of peritoneal diseases with cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC

INTRODUCTION

A combination therapy of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been proposed as a treatment option in patients with peritoneal metastasis of colorectal, ovarian, gastric cancers and sarcomas and as a current standard treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei and peritoneal mesothelioma. There is a need to standardize its indication, drugs selection along with their concentrations and ways to deliver peritoneal chemotherapy solutions for best outcomes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the current practice of Latin American (LA) Centers in which peritoneal diseases (PD) are treated.

PATIENT AND METHODS

All centers from Latin American Registry of Peritoneal Diseases (LARPD) were invited to participate in a two rounds online survey, to describe their current practice in all indications of CRS with HIPEC for PD.

RESULTS

76 out of 84 LARPD's centers answered the survey, with a response rate of 90,5%. The results represent the current practice of 248 surgeons that are members of LARPD's centers, in 8 LA countries, that at the time of the study had treated 2682 patients with CRS with HIPEC. All current practice aspects including indications, contra-indications, patient selection, methods of peritoneal chemotherapy delivery and treatment protocols are described in this manuscript.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey is the first LA effort to publish current practice indications and treatment protocols of PD. Achieving consensus of best therapeutic options is essential to provide the best possible outcomes for patients with PD who could benefit from CRS with HIPEC therefore aiming at standardization of the procedure.

The Impact of Ostomy Creation after Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in a Newly Established Peritoneal Malignancy Program

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) has improved outcomes for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and often requires ostomy creation. We examined the impact of ostomy creation in a newly established peritoneal malignancy program. A retrospective review was performed of CRS-HIPEC procedures from 2011 to 2016. Those who did and did not receive an ostomy were compared. Fifty-eight patients underwent CRS-HIPEC and an ostomy was created in 25.9 per cent. Median peritoneal cancer index (14 vs 16, P = 0.63) and multivisceral resection rates (87.9 vs 100.0%, P = 0.17) were similar between groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that bowel resection (OR 210.65, P = 0.02) was significantly associated with ostomy creation. Advanced age was noted to be inversely associated with stoma formation (OR 0.04, P = 0.04). Progression-free survival was significantly lower in the ostomy group (18 vs 23 months, P = 0.03). Those with an ostomy experienced prolonged length of stay (13.3 ± 7.4 vs 9.5 ± 3.7, P = 0.01). At follow-up, 6/10 temporary ostomies had undergone reversal and three patients experienced morbidity after reversal. Ostomy creation may occur during CRS-HIPEC and carries potential for morbidity. Ostomy creation may contribute to postoperative length of stay. Patients should be counseled preoperatively on the potential impact of ostomy placement during CRS-HIPEC.

Recommendations and consensus on the treatment of peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin: a systematic review of national and international guidelines

AIM

This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of (inter)national guidelines on the treatment of peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer origin (PMCRC) and to determine the degree of consensus and available evidence with identification of topics for future research.

METHOD

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed as well as Tripdatabase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, BMJ Best Practice and Guidelines International Network was performed to identify (inter)national guidelines and consensus statements from oncological or surgical societies on PMCRC. The quality of guidelines was assessed using the AGREE-II score. Topics followed by recommendations were extracted from the guidelines. The recommendations, highest level of supporting evidence and the degree of consensus were determined for each topic.

RESULTS

Twenty-one guidelines were included, in most (15) of which cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) was recommended in selected patients based on level 1b evidence. Substantial consensus was also reached on the benefit of multidisciplinary team discussion and the achievability of a (near) complete cytoreduction (CC0-1) without supporting evidence. Both evidence and consensus were lacking regarding other aspects including preoperative positron emission tomography/CT, second look surgery in high risk patients, the optimal patient selection for CRS/HIPEC, procedural aspects of HIPEC and (perioperative) systemic therapy.

CONCLUSION

In currently available guidelines, evidence and consensus on the treatment strategy for PMCRC are lacking. Updates of guidelines are ongoing and future (randomized) clinical trials should contribute to multidisciplinary and international consensus on treatment strategies for PMCRC.

Surgical treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis: current treatment modalities

BACKGROUND

Selected patients with peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) have been treated effectively by the combination of cytoreduction surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to summarize the treatment outcomes and general considerations regarding definitions and staging systems of current CRS and HIPEC modalities in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and in secondary peritoneal malignancies such as peritoneal metastasis from appendiceal, colorectal, gastric, and epithelial ovarian cancers.

CONCLUSION

Disease progression within the peritoneal cavity has in the past been regarded as a terminal event. Accumulating evidence underlines the therapeutic potential and the acceptable morbidity and mortality rates of CRS and HIPEC in selected patients.

Ovarian preservation with subcutaneous transposition in the setting of cytoreductive surgery

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has gained increasing acceptance as a treatment modality for peritoneal carcinomatosis. In female patients, this procedure involves a total hysterectomy and bilateral saphingo-oophorectomy to remove the pelvic peritoneum. We present a case of an unfortunate female adolescent with peritoneal carcinomatosis who underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. In view of the compelling circumstance, an innovative surgical technique was used to attempt ovarian preservation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 14 year old girl with carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and peritoneal metastases was offered cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. In view of her age, ovarian preservation with subcutaneous transposition was performed during cytoreductive surgery. She is currently well 6 months post surgery and has resumed normal menstruation. We review the literature regarding ovarian preservation with subcutaneous transposition and discuss its benefit in pre-menopausal women undergoing peritonectomy and cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal carcinomatosis.

DISCUSSION

Subcutaneous transposition of the ovary in pre-menopasual patients requiring cytoreductive surgery spares them the sequelae of surgical castration. The subcutaneous location of the transposed ovary conveys advantages such as the ease of ultrasound surveillance and removal in event of disease recurrence. It also retains the possibility of future conception as the transposed ovary can easily be accessed for ovum extraction with assisted reproductive techniques.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian preservation with subcutaneous transposition is a technique worth considering in the treatment of pre-menopausal women who require cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: current status and future directions

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare malignancy where life expectancy with systemic chemotherapy remains poor. Most patients with this disease are diagnosed late with extensive peritoneal disease burden leading to nausea, pain, and abdominal distention as a result of ascites and a partial bowel obstruction. A newly proposed staging system comprising elements of the tumor burden measured by the peritoneal cancer index, abdominal nodal status, and extra-abdominal metastases has been demonstrated to reliably stratify patient outcomes based on staging subgroups after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This new staging system may form the basis of selecting patients for radical surgery and improve survival outcomes.

Cyto-reductive Surgery combined with Hyperthermic Intra-peritoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: current treatment and results

Cyto-reductive Surgery (CS) combined with Hyperthermic Intra-peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) as loco-regional treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM) has increasingly gained acceptance in clinical practice. This review summarizes the more relevant studies on this topic. Indications, pre-operative work-up, technical aspects, outcome and future directions of this combined approach in the treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies are discussed here and proposed in an informative and didactic manner.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal malignant disease

Peritoneal Malignant Disease (PMD) is the presence of tumoral tissue on the peritoneal surface from primary tumors or tumors from other locations (e.g. digestive or gynecologic). It is a regional disease with poor prognosis when treated with repeated "debulking" and traditional systemic chemotherapy. Cytoreduction plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a combined multimodal regional procedure aimed at reducing the macroscopic tumoral mass as much as possible and treating with chemotherapy the microscopic disease that is out of the scope of the surgeon. This combined treatment may change the natural history of PMD, it is translated into a higher overall survival and cancer-free survival and it offers the option of cure in selected cases. The high-complexity procedure is also associated with complications and mortality, but in similar rates as other major oncologic procedures.

Peritoneal-based Malignancies and Their Treatment

Introduction: Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) usually have dismal prognoses, even with traditional systemic therapy. Peritonectomy or cytoreductive surgery (CRS) has been used to treat selected patients. It is also commonly used in the management of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), often in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Methods and Results: In the present review article, the indications for CRS and HIPEC are examined, along with its technical aspects, resulting morbidity and mortality. Patients with documented peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal and ovarian cancer or PMP, absence of extra-abdominal metastases and liver parenchymal metastases and with an ECOG performance status of <2 should be considered for CRS and HIPEC. Conclusion: It is important to recognise the role of and indications for CRS and HIPEC. Biologic factors of the disease and completeness of resection are important prognostic factors. Cytoreductive surgery, combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy, can improve survival in selected patients with peritoneal-based malignancies. Key words: Cytoreductive surgery, Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, Peritonectomy, Peritoneal carcinomatosis, Pseudomyxoma peritone

Cytoreductive procedures-strategies to reduce postoperative morbidity and management of surgical complications with special emphasis on anastomotic leaks

Cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the therapy of peritoneal carcinomatosis are associated with substantial morbidity and acceptable mortality. Patient selection, learning curve, patient warming, and reduced blood loss are the main factors to decrease morbidity. Morbidity is mostly associated with bowl fistulas and anastomotic leakages. Depending on the site of leaks they may be managed conservatively or by reoperation. For standardization of study reports on morbidity and mortality the CTCAE classification is recommended.