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Introduction: We report the largest series to date on the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization for the treatment of unresectable, chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). Methods: A total of 302 patients underwent resin-based 90Y radioembolization for unresectable, chemorefractory CRCLM between 2006 and 2013 in Sydney, Australia. All patients were followed up with imaging studies at regular intervals until death. Radiologic response was evaluated with the response criteria in solid tumors criteria. Clinical toxicities were prospectively recorded. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and potential prognostic variables were identified on univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Median follow-up in the complete cohort was 7.2 months (range 0.2-72.8), and the median survival after 90Y radioembolization was 10.5 months with a 24-month survival of 21 %. On imaging follow-up of 293 patients who were followed up beyond 2 months, complete response to treatment was observed in 2 patients (1 %), partial response in 111 (38 %), stable disease in 96 (33 %), and progressive disease in 84 (29 %). Four factors were independently associated with a poorer prognosis: extensive tumor volume, number of previous lines of chemotherapy, poor radiological response to treatment, and low preoperative hemoglobin. One hundred fifteen (38 %) developed clinical toxicity after treatment; most complications were minor (grade I/II) and resolved without active intervention. Conclusions: 90Y radioembolization is a safe and effective treatment for unresectable, chemorefractory CRCLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are a paucity of data on the treatment of unresectable, chemoresistant breast cancer liver metastases (BRCLM) with yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization. Methods: Forty patients underwent resin-based Y90 radioembolization for unresectable, chemoresistant BRCLM between 2006 and 2012 in a single institution. All patients were followed up with imaging studies at regular intervals as clinically indicated until death. Radiologic response was evaluated with the Response Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. Clinical toxicities were prospectively recorded as per the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and potential prognostic variables were identified on univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Follow-up was complete in all patients. The median follow-up was 11.2 (range 0.6-30.5) months and the median survival after Y90 radioembolization was 13.6 months, with a 24-month survival of 39 %. On imaging follow-up of 38 patients who survived beyond 1 month of treatment, a complete response (CR) to treatment was observed in two patients (5 %), partial response (PR) in 10 patients (26 %), stable disease (SD) in 15 patients (39 %), and progressive disease (PD) in 11 patients (29 %). Two factors were associated with an improved survival on multivariate analysis: CR/PR to treatment (vs. SD vs. PD; p < 0.001) and chemotherapy after radioembolization (vs. no chemotherapy; p = 0.004). Sixteen patients (40 %) developed clinical toxicity after treatment; all complications were minor grade I/II and resolved without active intervention. Conclusion: This study provides supportive evidence of the safety and efficacy on Y90 radioembolization for the treatment of unresectable, chemoresistant BRCLM. Further prospective investigation is required to assess the suitability of this treatment in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Only 15% of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are candidates for curative hepatectomy at time of diagnosis, limited by anatomical location and tumor burden. Ablative therapies may extend this. This study reports a single institution's long-term experience with hepatic cryotherapy for advanced CLM. Methods: Between April 1990 and June 2009, 304 patients were curatively treated with cryotherapy. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors for survivals were determined by using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 293 patients were included into analysis. The median number of lesions treated per patient was three (range, 1-13). The median overall survival was 29 (range, 3-220) months. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survivals were 87%, 41.8%, 24.2%, and 13.3%, respectively. A total of 161 patients developed intrahepatic recurrences: cryosite (23%); edge recurrence (14%); and within the liver remnant (78%). The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 9 (range, 1-220) months. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year DFS rates were 37.9%, 17.2%, 13.4%, and 10.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified four factors that significantly affect survival: node-positive primary tumor ( p = 0.001), preoperative CEA level ( p < 0.001), number of lesions ( p < 0.001), and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( p < 0.001). However, only primary tumor nodal status was independently prognostic (hazards ratio = 2.023; 95% confidence interval, 1.444-2.835; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Hepatic cryotherapy seems to be a safe and effective ablative technique for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases and may offer long-term survival in otherwise unresectable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluates the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scoring of the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) and examines its association with surgical morbidity and outcomes in pseudomyxoma peritonei. Methods: Forty-seven patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei had preoperative evaluation of CT scans and were treated with cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Their radiological PCI and intraoperative PCI were scored for determination of accuracy and for correlation with morbidity and outcomes. Results: Accuracy in detecting peritoneal lesions regardless of size ranged from 51% to 85% in the abdominopelvic regions and 21% to 25% in the small intestinal regions. The sensitivity of CT detection of peritoneal implants ranged from 67% to 84% in the abdominopelvic regions and from 56% to 57% in the small intestinal regions. The specificity of CT detection of peritoneal lesions was 100% in all regions. Preoperative CT identification of larger peritoneal lesions in the right upper quadrant ( P = 0.016), epigastrium ( P = 0.003), left upper quadrant ( P = 0.019), proximal jejunum ( P = 0.022), distal jejunum ( P = 0.022), and proximal ileum ( P = 0.022) predicted development of severe complications. Similarly, larger peritoneal lesions in the right upper quadrant ( P = 0.039), epigastrium ( P = 0.024), right flank ( P = 0.005), and right lower quadrant ( P = 0.034) were negatively associated with disease-free survival, and the right upper quadrant ( P = 0.037) was negatively associated with overall survival. Conclusions: Preoperative CT scan depicting extensive upper abdominal and small bowel disease predicts the presence of severe complications after cytoreduction. Extensive disease in the right upper quadrant seems to be associated with a poorer survival outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the role of modern systemic therapies and its role as palliative or curative therapy for patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis with an emphasis on patient selection with the colorectal Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS). Methods: From three specialized treatment centers, patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis were identified between December 1988 to December 2009 to receive best supportive care, standard, or modern systemic therapies. Intent was classified as palliative or curative (if treated by cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy). Patients were stratified according to the PSDSS. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Palliative and curative treatment achieved a median survival of 9 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.9-12.8) and 38 (95% CI 30.2-45.2) months, respectively ( P < 0.001). The type of chemotherapy in the palliative and curative group influenced outcome ( P < 0.001, P = 0.011, respectively). In the palliative group, PSDSS I/II had a median survival of 24 (95% CI 15.6-32.6) and PSDSS III/IV had a median survival of 6 (95% CI 4.9-8.0) months ( P < 0.001). In the curative group, PSDSS I/II had a median survival of 49 (95% CI 40.0-58.3) and PSDSS III/IV had a median survival of 31 (95% CI 20.4-40.9) months ( P = 0.002). Conclusions: Modern systemic therapies were associated with improved outcome in patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis treated systemically alone or with cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Preoperative evaluation with the PSDSS may improve patient selection and optimize outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy is increasingly accepted as an effective treatment modality for mucinous appendiceal neoplasm. For the majority of patients with low-grade histology, outcomes have been encouraging. The survival of patients with neoplasms of malignant character is protracted and this study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this surgical strategy on outcomes. Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with mucinous and nonmucinous appendiceal cancer with peritoneal dissemination were studied. Clinicopathological and treatment related factors were obtained from a prospective database. The study's end points of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median DFS and OS after cytoreduction were 20.5 and 56.4 months respectively. Five-year overall survival rate was 45%. Five independent factors associated with DFS and OS were identified through a multivariate analysis: age (DFS p = 0.001, OS p = 0.002), completeness of cytoreduction (DFS p = 0.001, OS p = 0.003), previous chemotherapy treatment (DFS p = 0.021), CA 199 levels (DFS p = 0.013), and tumor grade (OS p = 0.005). Conclusions: Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy may achieve long-term survival in appendiceal malignancies with peritoneal dissemination for which the predictors of outcomes identified through this study may tailor the disease management to commit patients early toward this successful surgical strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) has demonstrated improved survival in selected patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). However, this aggressive treatment modality has been consistently associated with variable rates of perioperative mortality between 0% and 18% and morbidity between 30% and 70%. This study evaluates the clinical and treatment-related risk factors for perioperative morbidity and mortality in PMP patients who underwent CRS and PIC. A total of 145 consecutive CRS and PIC procedures for PMP performed between January 1996 and March 2009 were evaluated. The association of 12 clinical and 20 treatment-related risk factors with grades III and IV/V morbidity were assessed by univariable and multivariable analysis. The mortality (grade V) rate was 3%. The morbidity rates of grades III and IV were 23% and 22%, respectively. Eight factors were associated with grade IV/V morbidity on univariable analysis: peritoneal cancer index ≥21 ( P = .034), ASA score ≥3 ( P = .003), operation duration ≥10 h ( P < .001), left upper quadrant peritonectomy procedure ( P = .037), colonic resection ( P = .012), ostomy ( P = .005), ileostomy ( P = .012), and transfusion ≥6 units ( p = 0.011). Multivariable analysis showed 2 significant risk factors for grade IV/V morbidity: ASA ≥ 3 ( P = .006) and an operation length ≥10 h ( P < .001). CRS and PIC has an acceptable rate of perioperative mortality and morbidity in selected patients with PMP. Patients with bulky disease who undergo a long operation are at a particularly high risk of a severe adverse event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) has improved survival in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This study evaluates the morbidity of postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF) within the context of CRS and PIC. Two hundred seventy-one consecutive CRS and PIC procedures were evaluated. Diagnosis and classification of postoperative PF were performed according to the international study group on PF criteria. The associations between 8 clinical and 20 treatment-related factors with postoperative PF were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. The management and clinical sequelae of postoperative PF were discussed. Seventeen patients (6.3%) developed postoperative PF. None of these patients died during their in-hospital stay. Multivariate analysis identified three independent risk factors for PF: transfusion of ≥6 units of blood ( P = 0.029), operation duration of ≥9 h ( P = 0.035), and splenectomy ( P = 0.020). Conservative management of PF was instituted in all 17 patients and was successful in 16 (94%). The overall time to PF closure was 26 (standard deviation 16) days after diagnosis. Although PF did not contribute to procedure-related mortality, it was associated with increased length of hospital stay ( P < 0.001). CRS and PIC presented an acceptable rate of PF that did not increase the procedure-related mortality. However, PF was associated with longer hospital stay. Most patients with PF were treated conservatively and did not require surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]