Metastatic Colorectal Cancer to the Peritoneum: Current Treatment Options

Abstract

Peritoneal metastases (PM) are common in advanced-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) patients representing the second most common metastatic site of CRC. In the past, this clinical situation was treated with palliative intent. The introduction of new chemotherapeutic and targeted biologic agents has improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, the inclusion of treatment options such as cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as inherent components of a multidisciplinary treatment was evolving for the management of these patients. Notably, the surgical approach of CRS/HIPEC has been effective offering a prolonged survival with curative intent in patients with colorectal PM. This article reviews and highlights the recent evidence of CRS and HIPEC as well as current research going on in this form of locoregional treatment in the setting of peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Carcinomatosis; Colorectal cancer; Cytoreductive surgery; HIPEC; Peritoneal metastases.