Intraoperative macroscopic tumour consistency is associated with overall survival after cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for appendiceal adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastases: A retrospective observational study

Abstract

Background: This study examines the impact of intraoperative macroscopic tumour consistency on short-term and long-term outcomes after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) for appendiceal adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastases.

Methods: Macroscopic intraoperative tumour consistency was classified in three groups as soft (jelly-like geltatinous tumours), hard (hard tumour nodules without gelatinous features) and intermediate (both soft and hard features). In-hospital mortality, major morbidity, intensive care unit (ICU), high dependency unit (HDU) and total hospital stay, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared.

Results: The three groups had similar perioperative short-term outcomes. Patients with soft, intermediate and hard tumours revealed differences in OS (p < 0.001) and DFS (p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis revealed a shorter OS for patients with hard versus soft tumours (HR for hard tumours = 4.43, 95%CI 2.19-9.00).

Conclusions: Intraoperative macroscopic tumour consistency may be used as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with appendiceal adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastases.

Keywords: Appendix; Consistency; Cytoreductive surgery; Peritoneal metastases; Tumour characteristics.