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Introduction Genital necrosis (GN) is a rare complication of cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) which can be confused with necrotizing fasciitis. We present an analysis of GN after CRS/HIPEC to define its natural history. Methods We identified patients with GN after CRS/HIPEC at two peritoneal surface malignancy institutions. Patient demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were extracted from prospective databases. Results Of 1597 CRS/HIPECs performed, 13 patients (0.8%) had GN. The median age was 57 years (IQR: 49–64) and 77% (n = 10) were male. Mitomycin-C was the perfusion agent in all cases of GN (100%). The median time to GN onset after CRS/HIPEC was 64 days (IQR: 60–108) and 2 (15%) patients were receiving systemic chemotherapy at the time of GN onset. Symptoms included severe pain (100%), edema (100%), labial or scrotal skin ulceration (92%), signs of infection (39%), and fever (15%). Seven (54%) patients had thrombocytosis >400 ∗109/L, whereas coagulation tests were within normal reference range in 100% cases. All patients initially underwent conservative treatment, with antibiotic therapy administered in 62% (n = 8). Surgical debridement was performed in 9 (70%) cases with median time after GN onset of 57 (IQR: 8–180). Conclusion GN is a debilitating complication after CRS/HIPEC with delayed onset and a protracted clinical course. Optimal treatment results could be achieved with initial conservative management until complete lesion demarcation followed by surgical debridement. The pathophysiology of GN is unclear, and we call for other researchers attention to better understand the complication and prevention.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a subtype of peritoneal carcinomatosis that is traditionally treated by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). A growing body of evidence suggests that microbes are associated with various tumor types and have been found in organs and cavities that were once considered sterile. Prior and ongoing research from our consortium of PMP researchers strongly suggests that bacteria are associated with PMP tumors. While the significance of this association is unclear, in our opinion, further research is warranted to understand whether these bacteria contribute to the development, maintenance and/or progression of PMP. Elucidation of a possible causal role for bacteria in PMP could suggest a benefit for supplementation of antibiotics to current treatment protocols.