Long-term survivorship and quality of life after cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis.
BACKGROUND
Cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy with mitomycin C for peritoneal carcinomatosis is used as a palliative treatment for a variety of malignancies. The purpose of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) of survivors (>3 years) after treatment.


METHODS
Patients were interviewed by telephone with the following tools: (1) the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colon (FACT-C), (2) the Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire, (3) the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, (4) the Life Appreciation scale, (5) the Psychosocial Concerns Questionnaire, and (6) performance status rating.


RESULTS
Seventeen (10 appendix, 5 large intestine, 1 ovarian, and 1 peritoneum) of 109 patients were interviewed from 3.1 to 8.0 years after treatment. Ten patients (62.5%) described their health as excellent or very good. No limitations on moderate activity were reported in 94% of cases. Paired t-tests were used to compare 10 patients who had baseline QOL data. FACT mean difference scores and P values (positive difference scores indicate improved QOL) were functional well-being: 4.9, P =.01; physical well-being: 3.3, P =.05; and FACT total: 14.3, P =.02.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term survival with good QOL is possible for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis after cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy.
McQuellon
Richard P
RP
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, The Surgical Oncology Service, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. rmcquell@wfubmc.edu
Loggie
Brian W
BW
Lehman
Anna B
AB
Russell
Gregory B
GB
Fleming
Ronald A
RA
Shen
Perry
P
Levine
Edward A
EA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D016685:Mitomycin