Outcomes following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal malignancies: 10 ​Year experience.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of peritoneal malignancies has evolved and select patients can undergo effective surgical therapies. Access to innovative oncology procedures can be improved if programs are developed within and outside of academic cancer centers. We report the creation of a high volume, comprehensive peritoneal malignancy program developed in a community center. METHODS: A retrospective single-site study was conducted using registry data comprising all patients who underwent Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) between October 2011-December 2021. RESULTS: 353 patients underwent CRS and HIPEC. 208 patients experienced in-hospital morbidity (58.9 â€‹%). Group comparison by disease site, PCI, and the completeness of cytoreduction demonstrated survival differences in mean overall survival and disease-free survival in 1-, 3- and 5-year ranges. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that with a standardized protocol and a surgeon-led multidisciplinary team it is possible to offer safe outcome driven, complex oncologic surgery in a community-based cancer program.

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma: literature review and update.

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM) is a rare peritoneal tumor diagnosed predominantly in pre-menopausal women. Associated risk factors include endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women, and prior abdominal surgery in both genders. To date, the pathogenesis of this disease remains controversial with possible etiologies, including a neoplastic versus a reactive process. Given the risk factors, some authors believe that this disease is secondary to a reactive process. However, because some studies describe cases where there is no prior surgical history or inflammatory milieu present, and because of this entity's predilection for recurrence, some authors believe the origin to be neoplastic. Some genetic and familial associations have also been reported. Malignant transformation is extremely rare, with only two cases reported in the literature, despite the recurrence potential. Like the etiology, the name of this entity is also controversial. Some authors prefer the term "peritoneal inclusion cyst (PCM)" instead of "benign cystic mesothelioma" and argue that the term mesothelioma should only be used when there is evidence of atypia. Most cases of BMPM are discovered incidentally. Others reflect sequela of tumor mass effect. It appears intra-operatively as large, multi-focal, cystic lesions in the peritoneal and pelvic cavity. Diagnosis is achieved through surgical sampling with histopathological examination. Immunobiologically, BMPM exhibits multiple small cystic spaces with flattened lining containing calretinin positive cells without atypical features, mitotic figures, or tissue invasion. Treatment includes cytoreductive surgery. Here we present a case of BMPM in a 60-year-old male - a rare disease in an uncommon patient population.

Extended duration chemoprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism following abdominopelvic oncologic surgery.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is the most common cause of 30-day morbidity in oncology patients following surgery due to their hypercoagulable state. To combat this, VTE prophylaxis with anticoagulation extending beyond hospital discharge, termed extended duration chemoprophylaxis (EDCP), has been proposed, with the most recent guidelines recommending 28 post-operative days of EDCP. However, the literature has demonstrated poor compliance to these recommendations. We extended the duration of EDCP to 28 days post hospital discharge, effectively creating a standard discharge prescription for all surgical oncology patients. Our aim is to assess our EDCP protocol on patient compliance and VTE rate following major oncologic resection. We performed a retrospective, single institution, cohort study that involved chart review and telephone survey on patients who underwent major open abdominopelvic oncologic resection. A total of 130 patients were included; 60 received EDCP and 68 did not. VTE rate for the EDCP cohort was 0% and 7.4% for the non-EDCP cohort (p = 0.04). 85% of patients were fully compliant with EDCP. No bleeding related complications with EDCP were identified. Our data is consistent with prior literature in demonstrating a lower VTE rate with EDCP without an increase in bleeding related complications and we have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve a high rate of patient compliance with EDCP.

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma: literature review and update

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM) is a rare peritoneal tumor diagnosed predominantly in pre-menopausal women. Associated risk factors include endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women, and prior abdominal surgery in both genders. To date, the pathogenesis of this disease remains controversial with possible etiologies, including a neoplastic versus a reactive process. Given the risk factors, some authors believe that this disease is secondary to a reactive process. However, because some studies describe cases where there is no prior surgical history or inflammatory milieu present, and because of this entity's predilection for recurrence, some authors believe the origin to be neoplastic. Some genetic and familial associations have also been reported. Malignant transformation is extremely rare, with only two cases reported in the literature, despite the recurrence potential. Like the etiology, the name of this entity is also controversial. Some authors prefer the term "peritoneal inclusion cyst (PCM)" instead of "benign cystic mesothelioma" and argue that the term mesothelioma should only be used when there is evidence of atypia. Most cases of BMPM are discovered incidentally. Others reflect sequela of tumor mass effect. It appears intra-operatively as large, multi-focal, cystic lesions in the peritoneal and pelvic cavity. Diagnosis is achieved through surgical sampling with histopathological examination. Immunobiologically, BMPM exhibits multiple small cystic spaces with flattened lining containing calretinin positive cells without atypical features, mitotic figures, or tissue invasion. Treatment includes cytoreductive surgery. Here we present a case of BMPM in a 60-year-old male - a rare disease in an uncommon patient population.

Surgical Management of a Giant Pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors arising from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and extramedullary sympathetic ganglia. The incidence of asymptomatic disease is rising due to increased detection rates from widespread use of computed tomography. We describe a case of one of the largest documented pheochromocytomas resected in the United States, an 18-cm tumor in a patient who presented with exertional dyspnea, abdominal pain, constipation, weight loss, and intermittent hypertension. After biochemical and appropriate imaging workup, the patient underwent an open resection of the mass.

The diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer: A comparison of endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography with pancreas protocol.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in United States. We compared Computed Tomography (CT) with pancreas protocol and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) in terms of mass detection, mass size, vascular involvement and lymph node involvement. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 93 patients. Concordance between CT and EUS, and accuracy of CT and EUS were assessed using a retrospective chart review and statistical analysis. RESULTS: CT and EUS agreed on mass detection in 88% of the cases and mass size in 67% of the cases. They agreed in 74% of cases about the presence or absence of vascular involvement and 82% in lymph node involvement. Cohen's kappa indicated that the concordance between two tests was moderately reliable. CONCLUSION: CT and EUS agree moderately well in identifying characteristics of pancreatic masses, but discrepancies between the two modalities are common, particularly with respect to involvement of specific blood vessels and lymph nodes. Clinicians should use caution in relying on a single modality to make decisions.

Intraoperative Fluid Resuscitation Strategies in Pancreatectomy: Results from 38 Hospitals in Michigan.

BACKGROUND: Fluid administration practices may affect complication rates in some abdominal surgeries, but effects in patients undergoing pancreatectomy are not understood well. We sought to determine whether amount of intraoperative fluid administered to patients undergoing pancreatectomy is associated with postoperative complication rates and to determine whether hospitals vary in their fluid administration practices. METHODS: Data for 504 patients undergoing pancreatectomy at 38 hospitals between 2012 and 2015 were evaluated. The main exposure was intraoperative fluid administration (≤10, 10-15, >15 mL/kg/h). Mortality, complications, and length of stay were the main outcomes of interest. Patient-level associations between exposure and outcome were tested, with adjustment for potentially confounding patient and surgical factors, using random intercept, mixed-effects linear or logistic regression models. Hospitals were then categorized as having a restrictive, intermediate, or liberal resuscitation practice, and adjusted outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 167 (33.1 %), 185 (36.7 %) and 152 (30.2 %) patients received restrictive, intermediate, or liberal fluid administration, respectively. Hospitals with more restrictive practices had significantly lower adjusted 30-day mortality than those with more liberal practices (2.7 vs. 6.6 %; P < 0.001). Hospitals with more restrictive practices had the lowest rates of severe (Grade 2 and 3) complications (15.4 % restrictive vs. 25.3 % intermediate vs. 44.3 % liberal; P < 0.001). More restrictive hospitals had decreased adjusted mean length of stay (9.5 days vs. 12.7 days intermediate vs. 11.6 days liberal; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: More restrictive intraoperative resuscitation practices in pancreatectomy are associated with decreased hospital-level mortality, severe complications, and length of stay.

Life after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy; measuring quality of life and performance status after cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can return to an acceptable performance status (PS) and quality of life 3 months postoperative. METHODS: An HIPEC specific questionnaire was developed based on the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Questionnaire. Each patient was contacted and questionnaire completed. An averaged score was calculated and stratified to an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS. A retrospective chart review gathered patient characteristics and correlated to the patient's 3 months postoperative PS. RESULTS: Between October 2011 and July 2014, 43 patients underwent complete CRS with HIPEC. The most common indications for surgery were colorectal (35%) and appendiceal malignancy (47%). Average scores were: physical well-being 15.4 of 20, social well-being 17.5 of 20, recovery 15 of 20, mental well-being 13.4 of 20, and functional well-being 18.1 of 24. These correlated to an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS of 1, 0, 1, 1, and 1. Patient's age (P = .235), operative length (P = .181), hospital duration (P = .43), complications or peritoneal carcinomatosis index (P = .815) demonstrated no significance relative to postoperative PS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients can recovery well from CRS with HIPEC. It is possible to return to an acceptable functional status within 3 months postoperative. Age, operative time, length of hospital stay, or peritoneal carcinomatosis index have no prohibitive effects on a long-term recovery.

A Case Report and Review of the Literature of Adult Gastric Duplication Cyst.

Gastrointestinal (GI) duplication cysts are a rare congenital disease. They may involve any level of the alimentary tract, but they most commonly involve the ileum, esophagus, and jejunum. Gastric duplication cysts represent approximately 4-8% of GI duplication cysts, the majority of which present in early childhood. We present a rare case of adult gastric duplication cyst in a 25-year-old female found to have abdominal mass on computed tomography imaging. There are several potential methods to diagnose gastric duplication cyst and treatment of choice is complete surgical resection.

Establishing a complex surgical oncology program with low morbidity and mortality at a community hospital.

BACKGROUND: We report our experience with a large volume of complex oncologic resections and describe the framework necessary to develop a program with low morbidity and mortality in a community hospital. METHODS: From August 2010 to May 2014, 224 consecutive patients underwent abdominal oncological resection, at a community hospital by a single surgeon (R.N.B.). Cases included pancreatic, gastric, hepatobiliary, colorectal, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cytoreduction, splenic, and sarcoma resections. We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained database and evaluated postoperative complications. RESULTS: There was no 0, 30-, 60-, or 90-day mortality. The complication rate was 44%, including 5% grade I, 28% grade II, 9% grade III, and 1% grade IV complications. The median length of stay was 8 days. Mean follow-up for the entire group was 643 days. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that complex oncologic resections can be safely performed in the community setting if a well-organized, surgeon-led multidisciplinary team is assembled.

Role of preoperative endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle tattooing of a pancreatic head insulinoma.

Although insulinomas are rare, they are the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, with an incidence of four cases per million population. Insulinomas are generally benign indolent intrapancreatic tumors. Surgical resection remains the main option for treatment. However, up to 67% of a pancreatic head insulinomas are nonpalpable, thus surgical resection of the nonplapable insulinoma in this area could become problematic resulting in prolonged surgical time, increased risk of pancreatic duct injury and need for pancreaticoduodenectomy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine- needle tattooing (EUS-FNT), has been shown to have a crucial role for localization of pancreatic body and tail lesions, facilitating laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and helping surgeons identify the location of the tumor. EUS-FNT might have a role for preoperative localization of pancreatic head insulinomas which are likely to be nonpalpable. We report a case of preoperative EUS-FNT for localization of a nonplapable pancreatic head insulinoma. This report demonstrates that EUS-FNT of pancreatic head insulinomas may facilitate surgical resection, reduce operative time and decrease surgical complications.

The American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies evaluation of HIPEC with Mitomycin C versus Oxaliplatin in 539 patients with colon cancer undergoing a complete cytoreductive surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are gaining acceptance as treatment for selected patients with colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis (CRCPC). Tremendous variations exist in the HIPEC delivery. METHODS: The American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (ASPSM) examined the overall survival in patients with CRCPC who underwent a complete cytoreduction and HIPEC with Oxaliplatin vs. Mitomycin C (MMC), stratifying them by the Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS). RESULTS: Median overall survival (OS) of 539 patients with complete cytoreduction was 32.6 months, 32.7 months for the MMC group and 31.4 months for the Oxaliplatin group (P = 0.925). However, when stratified by PSDSS, median OS rates in PSDSS I/II patients were 54.3 months in those receiving MMC vs. 28.2 months in those receiving oxaliplatin (P = 0.012), whereas in PSDSS III/IV patients, median OS rates were 19.4 months in those receiving MMC vs. 30.4 months in those receiving Oxaliplatin (P = 0.427). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that MMC might be a better agent for HIPEC delivery than Oxaliplatin in patients with CRCPC, favorable histologies and low burden of disease (PSDSS I/II) undergoing complete cytoreduction. Prospective studies are warranted, which stratify patients by their PSDSS and randomize them to HIPEC with MMC vs. Oxaliplatin.

The American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (ASPSM) Multiinstitution Evaluation of the Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS) in 1,013 Patients with Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Extensive clinical experience suggests that hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may play an important role in the management of colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (CRCPC). However, there remains no established nonsurgical process to rationally select patients for this management, either for inclusion/stratification in clinical trials or as a component of standard of care. The Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS) was introduced as a basis to improve patient selection. METHODS: The American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies conducted a retrospective review of 1,013 CRCPC patients. The PSDSS was evaluated on 3 specific criteria obtained before surgery (symptoms, extent of peritoneal dissemination, and primary tumor histology). Overall survival was analyzed according to four tiers of disease severity, and a comparison was made between patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery + HIPEC and those who did not. RESULTS: The PSDSS was calculated on 884 patients (87 %). The median survival of 275 patients not undergoing CRS/HIPEC based on their PSDSS-I (n = 8), II (n = 80), III (n = 55), and IV (n = 132)-was 45, 19, 8, and 6 months, respectively. The median survival of 609 patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC based on their PSDSS-I (n = 75), II (n = 317), III (n = 82), and IV (n = 135)-was 86, 43, 29, and 28 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data support that the PSDSS, undertaken before surgery, is capable of defining CRCPC populations who have a statistically defined high or considerably lower likelihood of long-term survival after CRS/HIPEC. The PSDSS can be quite useful in the decision to enter CRCPC patients into, and their stratification within, clinical trials.

Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score as a predictor of resectability in the treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical utility of the Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS) as a preoperative predictor of resectability in the treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies. METHODS: Forty-nine patients were selected for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and were stratified according to the PSDSS retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 52 cytoreductive surgeries performed in 49 patients, HIPEC was performed in 33 cases (63%). We analyzed 31 cases of appendiceal and colorectal cancer patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC and 12 who underwent CRS only. 68% of the patients in whom CRS and HIPEC was performed were classified as PSDSS stage I or II. Contrastingly, all patients in whom CRS and HIPEC was unachievable were scored as PSDSS stage III or IV. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of this study suggest that the PSDSS can be used as a preoperative assessment tool to predict disease resectability in the treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies.

Factors that influence lymph node retrieval in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer: a comparison of the laparoscopic versus open approach.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical approach and patient demographics are important factors that influence lymph node retrieval. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients receiving surgical treatment for colorectal cancer at a single institution. RESULTS: Two hundred three patients underwent resection for colorectal cancer. The total number of lymph nodes recovered and the number of lymph nodes involved were similar in both the laparoscopic group and the open group. Patients who had right-sided colon resection had a higher total number of lymph nodes recovered. There was no effect of age, sex, race, or body mass index (BMI) on the total number of lymph nodes harvested or on the number of positive lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate regional lymphadenectomy for colorectal cancer can be successfully performed using a laparoscopic approach. Patient demographics did not make a difference in the number of total or positive lymph nodes recovered.

Extra-adrenal myelolipoma presenting as efferent limb obstruction.

Myelolipomas are rare benign lesions composed of mature adipose tissue and immature hematopoetic cells. The adrenal gland is the most common location for these lesions, but cases of extra-adrenal myelolipomas have been described. The predominant location for extra-adrenal myelolipomas is the retroperitoneum, and very few reported cases describe these lesions in the peritoneal cavity. Typically these lesions are incidental findings and asymptomatic, but occasionally can present with symptoms secondary to mass effect. We present the case of a 72 year old man presenting with a gastric outlet obstruction secondary to an epigastric mass. The mass was resected and pathology was consistent with myelolipoma. This case illustrates an atypical location and presentation of a myelolipoma. These are rare tumors with only 5 intra-abdominal myelolipomas reported in the literature. This article is a review of the surgical literature and a discussion on myelolipomas. Knowledge of these rare entities can help ensure proper management of these patients, which may include early surgical intervention.

Gastric schwannoma: a rare but important differential diagnosis of a gastric submucosal mass.

Schwannomas are generally slow growing asymptomatic neoplasms that rarely occur in the GI tract. However, if found, the most common site is the stomach. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, and 60-70% of them occur in the stomach. Owing to their typical presentation as submucosal neoplasms, gastric schwannomas and GISTs appear grossly similar. Accordingly, the differential diagnosis for a gastric submucosal mass should include gastric schwannomas. Furthermore, GI schwannomas are benign neoplasms with excellent prognosis after surgical resection, whereas 10-30% of GISTs have malignant behavior. Hence, it is important to distinguish gastric schwannomas from GISTs to make an accurate diagnosis to optimally guide treatment options. Nevertheless, owing to the paucity of gastric schwannomas, the index of suspicion for this diagnosis is low. We report a rare case of gastric schwannoma in 53-year-old woman who underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy under the suspicion of a GIST preoperatively but confirmed to have a gastric schwannoma postoperatively. This case underscores the importance of including gastric schwannomas in the differential diagnosis when preoperative imaging studies reveal a submucosal, exophytic gastric mass. For a gastric schwannoma, complete margin negative surgical resection is the curative treatment of choice.

Serum brain naturietic peptide measurements reflect fluid balance after pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Overaggressive fluid resuscitation in elderly patients requiring pancreatectomy can delay recovery and increase morbidity. Despite advancements, no accurate and reproducible methods exist to evaluate effective intravascular volume status in the postoperative setting. We hypothesized that sequential measurement of currently available serum proteins will indicate fluid balance. STUDY DESIGN: Clinicopathologic (n = 44) and echocardiogram (echo) data (n = 18) were collected on patients receiving pancreatectomy or diagnostic laparoscopy (n = 5). Measured fluid balance, serum BUN, creatinine (CR), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were recorded on postoperative days (POD) 1 to 7 (only POD1 for diagnostic laparoscopy). ANOVA and bivariate random effect models examined the correlation between BNP and BUN/CR and fluid balance. Linear mixed-effect models examined the correlation between factors associated with vascular stiffness and BNP, BUN/CR, and fluid balance. RESULTS: On POD1 after diagnostic laparoscopy, the fluid balance was positive by 3,265 mL and was accompanied by a >300-point increase in BNP (p = 0.0083). After pancreatectomy, a similar increase in BNP (250 pg/mL) and fluid balance (4,492 mL) on POD1 was observed. During the return to euvolemia, the change in serum BNP levels correlated with fluid balance changes during POD 1 to 3 (p = 0.039), and BUN/CR levels correlated with fluid balance during POD 4 to 7. Patients with risk factors associated with cardiovascular stiffness or echo evidence of poor compliance experienced higher BNP during the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Fluid loading at surgery is accompanied by an increase in serum BNP, and return to a balanced fluid state after pancreatectomy is paralleled by changes in BNP and BUN/CR levels.