Prognostic factors of early recurrence after complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: Although cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) offer the potential for long-term survival in peritoneal carcinomatosis, outcomes following CRS/HIPEC vary significantly.

Aim: To identify the clinical factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) after complete CRS/HIPEC in patients with colorectal/high-grade appendiceal, ovarian, and gastric cancers.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the risk of recurrence within 1 year after CRS/HIPEC and its impact on overall survival (OS) in patients recruited between 2015 and 2020. Logistic regression models were used to assess the prognostic factors for the risk of recurrence within 1 year. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between recurrence and OS.

Results: Of the 80 enrolled patients, 39 had an unfavorable PFS (< 1 year) and 41 had a favorable PFS (≥ 1 year). Simple logistic models revealed that the patients with a completeness of cytoreduction score of 0 (CC-0) or length of CRS ≤ 6 h had a favorable PFS [odds ratio (OR) = 0.141, = 0.004; and OR = 0.361, = 0.027, respectively]. In multiple logistic regression, achieving CC-0 was the strongest prognostic factor for a favorable PFS (OR = 0.131, = 0.005). A peritoneal cancer index score > 12 was associated with a lower rate of achieving CC-0 ( = 0.027). The favorable PFS group had a significantly longer OS (median 81.7 mo 17.0 mo, < 0.001).

Conclusion: Achieving CC-0 was associated with a lower early recurrence rate and improved long-term survival. This study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate candidates for CRS/HIPEC to manage peritoneal carcinomatosis.