Quality of life after cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prospective study of 216 patients

Abstract

Introduction: Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of this combined procedure on quality of life (QoL).

Materials and methods: A prospective single centre study of 216 consecutive patients treated with CRS and HIPEC was conducted using the Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire (GIQLI), completed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results: Questionnaire compliance was 81%, 90%, 89%, 89% and 74% at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. QoL was significantly decreased up to 6 months and returned to baseline at 12 months. In multivariate analysis, factors decreasing QoL were origin of PC at 3 months, presence of stoma at 6 months and length of surgery over 270 min and disease recurrence at 12 months.

Conclusions: Despite morbidity associated with CRS and HIPEC, QoL returned to baseline at one year after surgery. This treatment strategy should be considered for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Keywords: Cytoreductive surgery; Peritoneal carcinomatosis; Quality of life.