Complete cytoreduction for pseudomyxoma peritonei is optimal but maximal tumor debulking may be beneficial in patients in whom complete tumor removal cannot be achieved.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a diffuse peritoneal malignancy that generally originates form a perforated appendiceal tumor. Optimal treatment requires extensive surgical resection to achieve complete cytoreduction combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In a proportion of patients this is impossible, in particular, owing to extensive irresectable small-bowel involvement. There is ongoing debate as to the role of maximal tumor debulking in such cases. OBJECTIVE: : The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients who underwent major tumor debulking for pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin and to compare outcomes with patients who had complete cytoreduction during the same period. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. SETTINGS: This investigation was conducted at a tertiary referral center for peritoneal surface malignancy. PATIENTS: A prospective database of 953 consecutive patients with peritoneal malignancy undergoing surgery at a UK national referral center between 1994 and 2012 was analyzed. Of these patients, 748 (78%) had surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival, morbidity, and mortality in both groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify negative prognostic factors in the group that underwent major tumor debulking. RESULTS: Complete cytoreductive surgery was achieved in 543/748 (73%) patients, and 205 (27%) had maximal tumor debulking. Median age was 56 years (172 (31.7%) men) in the complete cytoreductive surgery group and 59 years (108 (52.7%) men) in the maximal tumor debulking group. Overall survival at 3, 5, and 10 years was 90%, 82%, and 64% in the complete cytoreductive group and 47%, 30%, and 22% in the maximal tumor debulking group. The median survival in the maximal tumor debulking group was 32.8 months (95% CI, 24.1-41.5). LIMITATIONS: The retrospective analysis of prospective data was a limitation of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal tumor debulking may help patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei in whom complete cytoreduction cannot be achieved with almost half alive at 3 years with long-term survival in some.