Treatment of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma with massive pleural effusions

Abstract. Imachi M, Tsukamoto N, Shimamoto T, Kamura T, Saito T, Nakano H. Treatment of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma with massive pleural effusions. Int J Gynecol Cancer 1991; 1 : 263–267.
Twelve patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma who had massive pleural effusions were treated between 1985 and 1989. Clinical stages of these patients were stage IIa, 1 and stage IV, 11. Histologic diagnoses were six serous adenocarcinomas, three endometrioid carcinomas, one mucinous adenocarcinoma, one clear cell carcinoma, and one squamous cell carcinoma. Massive pleural effusions were noted in the chest roentgenograms in all patients. Eight patients had effusions in pleural cavity, and four in both. The volumes of fluid removed from the pleural cavities ranged from 440 to 3650 ml, with a mean of 1905 ml. Eleven patients (92%) had malignant cells in their pleural effusions. Before surgery, all patients received thoracocentesis, and nine of them underwent continuous drainage by thoracic tubes. Eleven patients were given cis -platinum-containing chemotherapy after operation. Seven patients died of disease within two years. However, four patients underwent second-look operation and showed no evidence of residual disease. Malignant pleural effusions in ovarian carcinoma showed a good response to cis-platinum containing systematic chemotherapy. From the above results, it is concluded that under the drainage of pleural effusions debulking surgery followed by systematic chemotherapy is useful for patients with advanced ovarian carcinomas and massive pleural effusions.     

Outcomes of patients with gynecologic malignancies undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion

Objectives

We evaluated the indications and outcomes of patients with known gynecologic malignancies that underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion.

Methods

After IRB approval was obtained, a retrospective study of patients with gynecologic malignancies who underwent planned VATS/pleurodesis between 1/2000 and 7/2010 was performed. Abstracted data included demographics, diagnosis, disease status, treatment history, indication for VATS, complications, and outcomes.

Results

Forty-two patients with a gynecologic malignancy underwent VATS/pleurodesis. Median age was 63 years. Twenty-nine patients (69%) had ovarian cancer. Fifty-seven percent had recurrent disease at the time of VATS and 57% were undergoing chemotherapy at the time of VATS. Eight patients (19%) underwent perioperative VATS to improve pulmonary status. Seven patients (17%) underwent a palliative VATS. The median length of stay was 7 days (range 1-53). Sixty-two percent had gross disease noted at the time of VATS. A mean of 1650 cc of fluid was drained at time of surgery (range 300-4500), and the majority (88%) of patients had a talc pleurodesis performed. Seven patients (17%) were readmitted within 30 days; 6 were for complications unrelated to their VATS. One patient was readmitted with hospital-acquired pneumonia and died during readmission. Median time to death after VATS was 104 days (range 4-1062). Patients who underwent a perioperative VATS had the longest survival (845 days).

Conclusion

Patients with gynecologic malignancies may require a VATS/pleurodesis for symptomatic pleural effusions. This procedure appears to be safe and effective in this patient population.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) evaluation of intrathoracic disease in patients with FIGO III and IV stage ovarian cancer

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) on our treatment decisions in FIGO III and IV ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

Patients with ovarian cancer and suspected supra-diaphragmatic involvement (pleural effusions, pleural carcinomatosis, lung metastasis, or enlarged supra-diaphragmatic lymph nodes) at chest computer tomography (CT) scan underwent VATS with or without laparoscopy (LSC) to decide for primary cytoreduction or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Operation time, VATS complications (intrapleural hematoma, secondary hemorrhage with intervention, pneumonia and empyema) and shift in the therapeutic strategy due to VATS were evaluated.

Results

17 patients were included into this study (1 patient with FIGO stage IIIb, 1 with IIIc and 15 with stage IV). The median operation time for VATS only was 46.5 min (range: 20-50 min, n = 3). Perioperatively, no complications occurred. After surgical staging, the tumor was confined to the abdomen in four patients in whom primary cytoreduction was attempted. All other 13 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. VATS altered the therapeutic management in 6/17 ovarian cancer patients (3 times upstaging, 3 times downstaging). Negative predictive values (NPV) for local and diffuse pleural carcinomatosis ranged between 0.5 and 0.71.

Conclusion

In this case series, VATS in addition to LSC showed negligible morbidity related to surgery and a short operation time. We were able to improve the accuracy of the FIGO staging and assessed operability more reliably in these patients than through imaging techniques alone.     

Incidence and management of pleural effusions after diaphragm peritonectomy or resection for advanced mullerian cancer

OBJECTIVES: Diaphragm peritonectomy or resection is an effective way to cytoreduce diaphragm disease but frequently results in sympathetic pleural effusions. Our objective was to determine the incidence and management of effusions that developed after diaphragm surgery in patients with advanced mullerian cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all patients with stage IIIC-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer who had diaphragm peritonectomy or resection as part of optimal primary cytoreduction at our institution from 2000-2003. All patients had preoperative and serial postoperative chest X-rays to detect and follow pleural effusions. Factors evaluated included the presence and size of preoperative and postoperative effusions, their laterality, and subsequent need for thoracentesis and/or chest tube placement for symptomatic effusions. RESULTS: Of the 215 patients who had primary cytoreduction during the study period, 59 (27%) underwent diaphragm peritonectomy or resection. In addition to standard cytoreduction, 31 (53%) of these 59 patients had diaphragm surgery alone, while 28 (47%) had diaphragm surgery in combination with other upper abdominal resections. Laterality of diaphragm surgery was as follows: right only, 43 (73%); left only, 2 (3%); and bilateral, 14 (24%). Intraoperative chest tubes were placed in 7 (12%) patients. In the remaining 12 patients with preoperative effusions, postoperative effusions on the same side as the diaphragm surgery increased in 6 patients (50%), and 3 patients (25%) required postoperative thoracentesis or chest tube. In the remaining 40 patients without preoperative effusions, ipsilateral effusions developed in 24 patients (60%), and 5 patients (13%) required postoperative chest tubes. The overall rate of new or increased ipsilateral effusions was 58%; the overall rate of postoperative thoracentesis or chest tube placement was 15%. In 75% of the patients, thoracentesis or chest tubes were placed within 5 days of surgery (median, 3 days; range, 2-24). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients developed ipsilateral pleural effusions after diaphragm peritonectomy for cytoreduction. Most were managed conservatively without requiring a chest tube or thoracentesis. The incidence of symptomatic effusions was not high enough to recommend routine chest tube placement at the time of diaphragm peritonectomy or resection.     

晚期上皮性卵巢癌患者“间歇性肿瘤细胞减灭术”手术适应证的探讨

目的:探讨间歇性肿瘤细胞减灭术(IDS)的适应证。方法:采用回顾性病例对照研究,分析2000年1月至2009年12月间71例初次肿瘤细胞减灭术不满意的ⅢC～Ⅳ期卵巢上皮癌(包括原发性腹膜癌,原发性输卵管癌)患者的资料。A组(n=41)初次减灭术后单纯化疗6～8疗程;B组(n=30)经3～4个疗程化疗后行间歇性肿瘤细胞减灭术,然后继续化疗4～6疗程。化疗方案均为铂类为基础的联合化疗。两组患者的化疗方案和疗程无差异。通过比较两组患者的临床特征、手术及生存情况,以及B组患者IDS术前CA125、B超检查与术后病理结果的对应关系,总结IDS的适应证。结果:B组30例患者中23例(76.7%)最终达到满意减瘤,共有11例术后病理结果为阴性,术前CA125或B超对病理结果阳性预测的敏感度差,CA125的特异性达100%。CA125联合B超的预测准确率为70%。A、B组的五年生存率(P=0.790)、OS(P=0.254)和PFS(P=0.289)均无显著性差异。B组中无肉眼残留病灶患者的PFS和OS较A组有明显延长的趋势。结论:间歇性肿瘤细胞减灭术主要适应证是:初次肿瘤细胞减灭术采用"基本术式",3个疗程化疗后部分缓解,CA125仍异常;或CA125恢复正常,最好经PET-CT或增强CT明确有残留病灶。残留病灶有可能通过再次手术切除干净,达到无肉眼残留,这部分患者有可能生存获益。     

The benefit of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery before planned abdominal exploration in patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the findings and impact on the management of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) before planned abdominal exploration in patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of all patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS from 10/01 to 7/03. VATS was performed under double lumen endotracheal anesthesia. A 2-cm chest wall incision was made in the fifth intercostal space on the side of the effusion. The thoracoscope was introduced and biopsies of suspicious lesions were performed through the single incision. After VATS, all patients had a chest tube placed through the incision, and those with malignant effusions underwent talc pleurodesis either intraoperatively or postoperatively. RESULTS: Twelve patients underwent VATS during the study period. Median operative time for VATS was 31 min (range: 20-49 min) with no complications attributable to the procedure. The median amount of pleural fluid drained was 1000 ml (range: 500-2000 ml). Solid, pleural-based tumor was found in six cases (50%), with nodules >1 cm noted in four patients (33%) and nodules <1 cm noted in two patients (17%). Of the six cases with no grossly visible pleural tumor, the pleural fluid was positive for malignant cells in two patients (17%) and negative in four patients (33%). Further initial patient management included the following: laparotomy with optimal cytoreduction, 6 (50%); diagnostic laparoscopy, 3 (25%); and no abdominal exploration, 3 (25%). Final diagnosis of primary disease site was as follows: ovary, 9 (75%); fallopian tube, 1 (8%); endometrium, 1 (8%); and lymphoma, 1 (8%). Based on the findings during VATS, laparotomy and attempted cytoreduction were avoided in four patients (33%), and the cytoreductive procedure was modified in one patient (8%). CONCLUSION: Fifty percent of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS had solid pleural-based tumor identified, and in 33% of cases the tumor nodules were >1 cm in diameter. VATS should be considered in these cases to delineate the extent of disease, treat the effusion, and to potentially select patients for either intrathoracic cytoreduction or a neoadjuvant chemotherapy approach.     

Prognostic significance of systematic lymphadenectomy as part of primary debulking surgery in patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy on survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 189 consecutive patients with FIGO stage IIIC ovarian cancer between 2000 and 2011, who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. All patients were classified into two groups — patients who underwent systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and those who did not. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Patients who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy had significantly improved PFS (22 versus 9 months, p < 0.01) and OS (66 versus 40 months, p < 0.01). In patients with no gross residual disease (NGR) or residual disease 0.1-1 cm (GR-1), the median OS time of those who had lymphadenectomy was significantly longer than those who did not (86 versus 46 months, p = 0.02). However, in patients with residual disease > 1 cm (GR-B), there was no significant difference in OS according to lymphadenectomy (39 versus 40 months, p = 0.50). Among patients with NGR, the median OS time of those who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy was significantly longer than those who did not undergo lymphadenectomy (not yet reached [> 96] and 56 months, p < 0.01). No significant difference of OS between patients with and without lymphadenectomy was observed in the subgroup of patients with GR-1 (50 versus 38 months, p = 0.44). The performance of lymphadenectomy was a statistically significant and independent predictor of improved OS in addition to the status of residual disease and the performance of radical cytoreductive procedures (hazard ratio, 0.34; [95% CI, 0.23-0.52]; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Systematic lymphadenectomy may have a therapeutic value and be significantly associated with improved survival in stage IIIC ovarian cancer patients with grossly no visible residual disease.     

Histopathology predicts clinical outcome in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and debulking surgery

Objective

To analyze the factors prognostic of survival in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery.

Methods

Outcomes were retrospectively in patients with advanced EOC or peritoneal cancer who received neoadjuvant paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy every 3 weeks for three to four cycles, followed by interval debulking surgery and three additional cycles of the same regimens from January 2001 to November 2010. Therapeutic response was assessed histopathologically as grade 0 to 3, based on the degree of disappearance of cancer cells, displacement by necrotic and fibrotic tissue, and tumor-induced inflammation. Factors prognostic of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.

Results

The 124 enrolled patients had a median age of 62 years (range, 35–79 years). Viable cancer cells were observed in specimens resected from 72 patients (58%) at interval debulking surgery after NAC. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model showed that advanced (stage IV) disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.94, p = 0.003), residual cancer at the end of surgery ≥ 1 cm (HR = 3.78, p < 0.001), and histological grade 0–1 (HR = 1.65, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of decreased OS. Grade 0–1 was also an independent predictor of increased risk of relapse within 6 months (odds ratio = 8.42, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Residual disease of ≥ 1 cm, advanced stage, and the presence of more viable disease in resected specimens are prognostic factors for survival in advanced EOC patients receiving NAC followed by interval debulking surgery.     

Role of laparoscopy to assess the chance of optimal cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether laparoscopy can be considered as adequate and reliable as standard laparotomy in predicting optimal cytoreduction (RT < or = 1 cm) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. METHODS: From March to November 2003, 95 patients with suspected advanced ovarian or peritoneal cancer have been evaluated. Thirty-one cases were excluded due to an anesthesiological class of risk ASA III-IV (51.6%) and for the presence of a large size mass reaching the xiphoid (48.4%). Sixty-four patients completed the study. All patients were submitted to preoperative clinico-radiological evaluation and then to both laparoscopy and standard longitudinal laparotomy, sequentially. Some specific preoperatively defined parameters were analyzed during each procedure in order to obtain the most accurate evaluation on the possibility to get an optimal cytoreduction. RESULTS: The overall accuracy rate of laparoscopy in assessing optimal cytoreduction was 90%. The negative predictive value (NPV) of the clinical-radiologic evaluation corresponded to 73%, whereas in no case was the judgment of unresectable disease obtained by laparoscopy changed by the laparotomic approach (NPV 100%). On the contrary, an optimal debulking was achievable in 34 of 39 cases (87%) selected as completely resectable by explorative laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy can be considered super imposable to standard longitudinal laparotomy in identifying not optimally resectable advanced ovarian cancer patients.     

晚期卵巢癌外科治疗中的过度与不足

国内卵巢癌循证医学研究非常少,特别是在卵巢癌手术方面,国际学术领域很少有我国学者的研究报道,因而对卵巢癌手术度的把握,观念上和实践上都非常匮乏。文章分别从卵巢癌外科治疗观念的变更、外科治疗中存在的过度与不足等方面进行讨论。     

术前化疗对晚期卵巢癌预后的影响

目的：探讨术前化疗对晚期卵巢癌预后的影响。方法：将曾行肿瘤细胞减灭术上皮性卵巢癌患者按照术前是否化疗分为两组，进行回顾性分析，比较两组患者与预后有关的指标及生存情况。结果：1990年1月至1998年12月，收治ⅢC期、Ⅳ期上皮性卵巢癌患者，并施行肿瘤细胞减灭术者共71例，其中术前化疗组26例，术前未化疗组45例，两组患者手术范围基本相同，术前化疗组期别晚，分级高，预后不良的组织病理类型所占比例高，但治疗结果两组间达到满意肿瘤细胞减灭术的比例无明显差别，追踪随访术前化疗组及未化疗组，5年存活率分别为30．72％及40．60％（P＞0．05）。结论：对术前估计难以达到满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术的晚期卵巢癌患者，术前化疗有可能提高生存率。     

Intestinal obstruction in patients with advanced ovarian cancer

A retrospective analysis of the management of intestinal obstruction in 31 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma is described. Between 1981 and 1992 31 patients developed intestinal obstruction after their initial treatment. Nineteen patients underwent surgery, while the remaining 12 were treated conservatively. Careful evaluation with contrast studies of both the small intestine and colon is recommended to improve the prediction of site(s) of obstruction, and may reduce the number of unsuccessful operative procedures. Fifteen of the surgically treated patients survived for a period of 60 days or more. The majority, 13, were discharged to their homes after an average hospital stay of 24 days. Major postoperative complications occurred in three of the 19 patients. There was no surgical-related mortality. Two patients died within 30 days postoperatively (urosepsis and advanced tumor). While the median survival in the 19 surgical treated patients was 109 days (range 15–775), the conservatively treated 12 patients survived for a mean of 37 days (range 6–260). Surgical management of intestinal obstruction in selected cases is feasible and improves quality of life substantially.     

Impact of operative start time on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing primary cytoreduction for advanced ovarian cancer

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of operative start time (OST) on surgical outcomes in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods

All stage IIIB-IV serous ovarian cancer patients who underwent primary surgery at our institution from 1/01 to 1/10 were identified. Fourteen factors were evaluated for an association with surgical outcomes including OST and OR tumor index (1 point each for carcinomatosis and/or bulky [≥ 1 cm] upper abdominal disease). Univariate logistic regression considering within-surgeon clustering was performed for cytoreduction to ≤ 1 cm versus > 1 cm residual disease. In patients with ≤ 1 cm residual disease, univariate logistic regression considering within-surgeon clustering was performed for 1-10 mm residual disease versus complete gross resection (CGR, 0 mm residual). A multivariate logistic model was developed based on univariate analysis results in the ≤ 1 cm residual disease cohort.

Results

Of 422 patients, residual disease was: 0 mm, 144 (34.1%); 1-10 mm, 175 (41.5%); > 10 mm, 103 (23.3%). OST was not associated with cytoreduction to ≤ 1 cm residual disease on univariate analysis. In the ≤ 1 cm residual disease cohort, albumin, CA-125, ascites, ASA score, stage, OR tumor index, and OST were associated with CGR on univariate analysis. Earlier OSTs were associated with increased rates of CGR. On multivariate analysis, CA-125 was independently associated with CGR. OST was associated with CGR in patients with an OR tumor index of 2 but not an OR tumor index < 2.

Conclusions

OST was not associated with cytoreduction to ≤ 1 cm residual disease in patients with advanced serous ovarian cancer. In the cohort of patients with ≤ 1 cm residual disease, later OSTs were associated with reduced rates of CGR in patients with greater tumor burden.     

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death among gynecological cancers. This is because the majority of patients present with advanced stage disease. Primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is still a mainstay of treatment. An optimal surgery, which is currently defined by leaving no gross residual tumor, is the goal of PDS. The extent of disease as well as the operative setting, including the surgeon’s skill, influences the likelihood of successful debulking. With extensive disease and a poor chance of optimal surgery or high morbidity anticipated, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to primary surgery is an option. Secondary surgery after induction chemotherapy is termed interval debulking surgery (IDS). Delayed PDS or IDS is offered to patients who show some clinical response and are without progressive disease. NACT or IDS has become more established in clinical practice and there are numerous publications regarding its advantages and disadvantages. However, data on survival are limited and inconsistent. Only one large randomized trial could demonstrate that NACT was not inferior to PDS while the few randomized trials on IDS had inconsistent results. Without a definite benefit of NACT prior to surgery over PDS, one must carefully weigh the chances of safe and successful PDS against the morbidity and risks of suboptimal surgery. Appropriate selection of a patient to undergo PDS followed by chemotherapy or, preferably, to have NACT prior to surgery is very important. Some clinical characteristics from physical examination, serum tumor markers and/or findings from imaging studies may be predictive of resectability. However, no specific features have been consistently identified in the literature. This article will address the clinical data on prediction of surgical outcomes, the role of NACT, and the role of IDS.     

Assisted reproduction in patients with early-stage ovarian malignancies

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of women with early-stage ovarian malignancies who subsequently underwent assisted reproductive technologies (ART). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Academic assisted reproductive technology program. PATIENT(S): Four infertile women who were previously diagnosed with early-stage ovarian malignancies. INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovulation hyperstimulation, IVF, and/or gamete intrafallopian transfer treatments using clomiphene citrate and/or gonadotropins. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Development of tumor recurrence and disease-free interval. RESULT(S): All four women remain free of disease for up to 15 years after treatment. Three of the four women achieved pregnancy. CONCLUSION(S): In patients with early-stage ovarian malignancies, conservative therapy followed by ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction is an acceptable strategy.     

Long-term survival in advanced ovarian carcinoma following cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures

The impact of cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures has not been extensively assessed in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. The aims of the study are to report the long-term results of patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures and to identify the prognostic indicators that may affect outcome. The records of 74 women with advanced ovarian cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical indicators were correlated to survival. The hospital mortality and morbidity rates were 13.5% and 28.4%, respectively. Complete or near-complete cytoreduction was possible in 78.4% of the patients. Overall 10-year survival rate was 52.5%. Complete cytoreductive surgery, small-volume tumor, low-grade tumor, the absence of distant metastases, the use of systemic adjuvant chemotherapy, performance status >70%, and limited extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis were favorable indicators of survival. Complete cytoreduction (P= 0.000) and treatment with systemic chemotherapy (P= 0.001) independently influenced survival. Recurrence was recorded in 37.8% of the patients and was independently influenced by the tumor grade (P= 0.037). Cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures followed by adjuvant chemotherapy offers long-term survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer who have limited peritoneal carcinomatosis and no distant and irresectable metastases.     

Pulmonary morbidity of diaphragmatic surgery for stage III/IV ovarian cancer

Objective  To determine the morbidity of diaphragmatic peritonectomy.
Design  Prospective cohort study.
Setting  A Gynecology Department of a University Hospital.
Population  From 2005 to 2007, thirty-seven consecutive patients underwent surgery for stage IIIC or IV ovarian cancer.
Methods  Patients were separated into a diaphragmatic surgery group ( n  = 18) and a control group ( n  = 19). Diaphragmatic surgery may consist of coagulation, stripping or muscle resection.
Main outcome measures  Postoperative course and outcome were analysed.
Results  Patients in group 1 (diaphragmatic surgery) underwent more intestinal resection (89% versus 37%, P  = 0.01) and pelvic (94% versus 63%, P  = 0.02) or para-aortic lymphadenectomy (94% versus 53%, P  = 0.04). Neither the mean estimated blood loss (960 ml versus 909 ml) nor the rates of intra-operative blood transfusion (11 versus 9) were significantly different between the two groups. The mean operative time was higher in group 1 (480 minutes versus 316 minutes, P  < 0.05). There were thirteen postoperative complications in group 1 and eight in group 2 ( P  = 0.065). In group 1, the main complication was pleural effusion (seven cases): four patients required secondary pleural drainage, two required only pleural puncture and one had both procedures. There were more complete cytoreduction in group 1 than in group 2 (89% versus 63%, P  = 0.068).
Conclusions  Diaphragm peritonectomies and resections are an effective way to cytoreduce diaphragm carcinomatosis and increase the rate of optimal debulking surgery. Such procedures frequently result in pleural effusion, but with no long-term morbidity.