Socioeconomic Barriers to CRS HIPEC for Appendiceal Cancer within a Regional Academic Hospital System.

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal cancer with peritoneal metastases (ACPM) is a complex disease requiring multidisciplinary care. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (CRS HIPEC) can significantly improve survival but requires evaluation by a surgical oncologist and significant treatment endurance. The impacts of socioeconomic status (SES) and other social determinants of health on rates of surgical evaluation and treatment have not been examined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining all patients with ACPM from 2010 to 2018 in a regional healthcare system. Patient characteristics, oncologic details, treatment strategies, and survival were examined. The primary outcomes of interest were referral to Surgical Oncology, receipt of CRS HIPEC, and survival. RESULTS: Of 194 patients identified, 94% had synchronous ACPM. The majority of patients (95%) were referred to surgical oncology. Advanced age was the only predictor of nonreferral (p < 0.001). A total of 147 patients (76%) ultimately underwent CRS HIPEC. After adjusting for medical and tumor characteristics, CRS HIPEC was less likely for patients who were unmarried [odds ratio (OR) 0.253, p = 0.004] or of low SES (OR 0.372, p = 0.03). On subanalysis of patients undergoing CRS HIPEC, median overall survival was worse for patients of low SES [51 months versus not reached (NR), p = 0.05], and this disparity persisted on multivariate analysis [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.278, p = 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis is the first to evaluate barriers to CRS HIPEC for ACPM. While most patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team, nonmedical factors may play a role in the treatment received and ultimate outcomes. Addressing these disparities is crucial for ensuring equitable outcomes and improving patient care.

Failure to Thrive Following Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Causes and Consequences.

BACKGROUND: Failure to thrive (FTT) is a complex syndrome of nutritional failure and functional decline. Readmission for FTT following cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS HIPEC) is common but underexamined. This study aims to determine features, risk factors, and prognostic significance of FTT following CRS HIPEC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent CRS HIPEC from 2010 to 2018 at our institution. Patients were categorized into no readmission, FTT readmission, and other readmission. FTT was determined by coding and chart review. We compared baseline characteristics, oncologic data, perioperative outcomes, and survival among the three cohorts. RESULTS: Of 1068 discharges examined, 379 patients (36%) were readmitted within 90 days, of which 134 (12.5%) were labeled as FTT. Patients with FTT readmission had worse preoperative functional status, higher rates of malnutrition, more complex resections, longer hospital stays, and more postoperative complications (all p < 0.001). Ostomy creation [relative risk ratio (RRR) 4.06], in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE), discharge to nursing home (RRR 2.48), pre-CRS HIPEC chemotherapy (RRR 1.98), older age (RRR 1.84), and female gender (RRR 1.69) were all independent predictors for FTT readmission on multinomial regression (all p < 0.01). FTT readmission was associated with worse median overall survival on multivariate analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 1.60, p < 0.001] after controlling for oncologic, perioperative, and baseline factors. CONCLUSIONS: FTT is common following CRS HIPEC and appears to be associated with baseline patient characteristics, operative burden, and postoperative complications. Perioperative strategies for improving nutrition and activity, along with early recognition and intervention in FTT may improve patient outcomes.