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.