The Uncertain Benefit of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer and the Pivotal Role of Surgical Cytoreduction

In our center, adjuvant chemotherapy is routinely offered in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients but less commonly as a standard treatment in low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) patients. This study evaluates the efficacy of this paradigm by analysing survival outcomes and by comparing the influence of different clinical and surgical characteristics between women with advanced LGSOC (n = 37) and advanced HGSOC (n = 300). Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent prognostic features for survival in LGSOC and HGSOC. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given in 99.7% of HGSOC patients versus in 27% of LGSOC (p < 0.0001). The LGSOC patients had greater surgical complexity scores (p < 0.0001), more frequent postoperative ICU/HDU admissions (p = 0.0002), and higher peri-/post-operative morbidity (p < 0.0001) compared to the HGSOC patients. The 5-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) was 30% and 13% for HGSOC versus 57% and 21.6% for LGSOC, p = 0.016 and p = 0.044, respectively. Surgical complexity (HR 5.3, 95%CI 1.2–22.8, p = 0.024) and complete cytoreduction (HR 62.4, 95% CI 6.8–567.9, p < 0.001) were independent prognostic features for OS in LGSOC. This study demonstrates no clear significant survival advantage of chemotherapy in LGSOC. It highlights the substantial survival benefit of dynamic multi-visceral surgery to achieve complete cytoreduction as the primary treatment for LGSOC patients.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for colorectal peritoneal metastases: analysis of short- and long-term outcomes

Background Peritoneal metastases carry the worst prognosis among all sites of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases. In recent years, the advent of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has improved survival for selected patients with limited peritoneal involvement. We report the evolution of CRS and HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases at a tertiary referral center over a 10-year period. Methods Patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases undergoing CRS and HIPEC were included and retrospectively analyzed at a tertiary referral center from January 2006 to December 2015. Main outcomes included evaluation of grade III/IV complications, mortality rate, overall and disease-free survival, and prognostic factors influencing survival on a Cox multivariate analysis. Results Sixty-seven CRSs were performed on 67 patients during this time for colorectal peritoneal metastases. The median patient age was 57 years with 55.2% being female. The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) was 7, with complete cytoreduction achieved in 65 (97%) cases. Grade > 2 complications occurred in 6 cases (8.9%) with no mortality. The median overall survival for the entire cohort was 41 months, with a 3-year overall survival of 43%. In case of complete cytoreduction, median overall and disease-free survival were 57 months and 36 months respectively, with a 3-year disease-free survival of 62%. Complete cytoreduction and nonmucinous histology were key factors independently associated with improved overall survival. Conclusions CRS and HIPEC for limited peritoneal metastases from CRC are safe and effective, with acceptable morbidity. In selected patients, it offers a highly favorable long-term outcomes.

Ultrasound for Preoperatively Predicting Pathology Grade, Complete Cytoreduction Possibility, and Survival Outcomes of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the value of using ultrasound (US) preoperatively for predicting pathological classification, complete cytoreduction possibility, and survival rate of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).MethodsWe retrospectively studied PMP patients who were scheduled for cytoreductive surgery between May 2009 and October 2019. US examination was performed before surgery. Factors related to high-grade pathology and poor completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score were identified. Associations between ultrasound characteristics and the survival status were also examined to identify independent predictive factors.ResultsPMP patients with clear ascites, abdominal lymph nodes, omental cake, abdominal mass, portal infiltration, and mesenteric involvement visible on US were considered to have high-grade pathology. Various US features were shown to be independent prognostic markers for inadequate cytoreduction in PMP patients. Portal infiltration and mesenteric involvement were significant prognostic factors for lower survival rates (hazard ratio = 3.092, 3.932, respectively). A visual nomogram including these factors was constructed to predict survival rates. The consistency index was 0.777, which reflected relatively high accuracy.ConclusionsPreoperative US has the potential to predict pathological grade and resectability of PMP. Portal infiltration and mesenteric involvement were independent predictors of poor clinical outcomes in PMP patients. Furthermore, a simple-to-use nomogram derived from our study data may be a helpful visual tool in clinical practice to predict 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates for PMP patients.