The Open Surgical Oncology Journal

2013, 4 : 1-4
Published online 2013 August 23. DOI: 10.2174/1876504120130806001
Publisher ID: TOSOJ-4-1

Cytoreductive Strategies in the Treatment of Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Origin: Results of a Transdisciplinary National Survey

Angela W. Chan , Gitonga Munene , Joel Weaver , Anthony MacLean , Jay Easaw , Gilaad G. Kaplan , Robyn D. Parker and Elijah Dixon
Foothills Medical Centre, 1403 – 29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9, Canada

ABSTRACT

Background:

Many patients are not referred to centers specializing in the treatment of peritoneal malignancies. This survey evaluates Canadian physician attitudes toward the role of cytoreduction in treating colorectal carcinomatosis.

Methods:

A discrete-choice questionnaire containing a hypothetical scenario surveyed physician preferences for the management of colorectal carcinomatosis.

Results:

Three mail-outs yielded a 49% response rate (217 responses). For synchronous colorectal carcinomatosis, 28.6% favoured cytoreduction with or without HIPEC plus systemic chemotherapy, and 18.9% cytoreduction with HIPEC alone. For metachronous carcinomatosis, 27.4% favoured cytoreduction with or without HIPEC plus systemic chemotherapy, and 14.9% cytoreduction with HIPEC alone. For metachronous carcinomatosis with a single liver metastasis, 24.6% favoured cytoreduction with or without HIPEC plus systemic chemotherapy, and 4.6% cytoreduction with HIPEC alone.

Conclusion:

Most physicians do not favor cytoreduction in the treatment of colorectal carcinomatosis. Knowledge translation strategies are needed to improve awareness regarding its utility in specific clinical scenarios.

Keywords:

Appendiceal cancer, colorectal cancer, heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy.