Intraoperative hypertherme intrathorakale Chemotherapie

Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITHOC) for Pleural Disseminated Thymoma: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment for thymoma with pleural dissemination (TPD) remains unclear. Extended radical resection is the cornerstone for local treatment but the need for pleuro-pneumonectomy is debatable. Cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) provides an alternative strategy to reduce tumor load and prevent pleural recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to provide an overview of current literature regarding HITHOC for TPD.

METHODS

A systematic literature review (PRISMA) was performed in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Web of Science databases, resulting in 154 papers selected for screening (PROSPERO: CRD42020208242). Title, abstract, and full-text screening resulted in 13 papers subjected to structured data extraction and methodological quality assessment. One additional case from our department was included. Inclusion criteria were original research reporting on patients diagnosed with TPD; oncological outcome reporting; intraoperative HITHOC; and papers written in English, Dutch or German. Methodological quality was assessed using the Risk-of-Bias (RoB)-2 Tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

HITHOC for TPD was reported in 171 cases. HITHOC-related mortality was absent and morbidity was reported in three cases. Intrathoracic perfusion of a platinum-derivative, often combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs at >40°C for 60 min or longer was always used. Post-HITHOC recurrence was reported in 37/120 cases (31%). In patients with a minimal 1-year follow-up, average time to recurrence was 68.5 months.

CONCLUSION

Combining cytoreductive surgery and HITHOC is feasible and safe for TPD. The strong heterogeneity in the literature impedes proper outcome analysis. More research is needed to better understand the additional benefit of HITHOC in the TPD setting.

[Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy in thoracic surgery]

In regional chemotherapy of the pleural space a differentiation is made between intrapleural hyperthermic perfusion (IHP) and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITOC). The HITOC in particular is carried out as an additive procedure after surgical cytoreduction of the pleural tumor manifestation. The main indications are for malignant pleural mesothelioma and thymoma with pleural spread (stage IVa), whereas treatment of secondary pleural carcinomatosis is indicated only in selected patients suitable for resection followed by HITOC. Cisplatin is the standard chemotherapeutic agent and a concentration of 150-175 mg/m² body surface area is recommended. Postoperative, HITOC-related complications (e.g. renal insufficiency) can be minimized by an adapted perioperative management. Safety measures should be accomplished adhered to for the protection of personnel. The aim of HITOC is to achieve a better local tumor control with a corresponding longer recurrence-free and overall survival.