Peritoneal surface malignancies are difficult to detect due to their non-specific presentation. Thus, clinicians should maintain a low threshold for considering its presence, even at the diagnosis of a primary tumour. GPs are key to improving outcomes though timely referral to specialist centres – where a multidisciplinary team approach can personalise and optimise treatment intervention.
INTRODUCTION
Peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) represent a wide variety of cancers with peritoneal involvement.
The tumours may arise from the peritoneum (such as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and primary peritoneal cancer) or more commonly from the spread to the peritoneum from primary tumours of other organs. These include intra-abdominal (gastrointestinal including appendix, reproductive and genitourinary tracts) and extra-abdominal (breast, lung and skin) origins.
Incidence of PSM
PSM can be detected at the diagnosis of a primary tumour (synchronous PSM) or develop months to years after primary tumour resection (metachronous PSM).
The incidence of PSM varies according to the underlying primary tumour, with the highest incidence noted in patients with the following:
- Ovarian cancer (61-75%)
- Gastric cancer (5-20% synchronous and up to 40% metachronous PSM)
- Colorectal cancer (5-10% synchronous and 15-30% metachronous PSM)
However, the true incidence of PSM is likely underestimated due to challenges in radiological detection and the lack of specialty-specific training.1-4
Figure 1 Peritoneal surface malignancies (click to expand infographic)
CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF PSM
The presentation of PSM is typically associated with specific organ involvement, which includes:
- Abdominal pain
- Mass
- Distension
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Change in bowel habits
- Rectal or vaginal bleeding
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Loss of appetite
However, given the non-specific clinical presentation, clinicians should maintain a low threshold for considering the presence of PSM, even at the diagnosis of a primary tumour.
It is therefore imperative to provide early referral to a specialised centre such as the Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT) at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) for the evaluation of disease extent for optimal treatment intervention.
CURRENT TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR PSM
Historically, PSM was considered a terminal disease with dismal prognosis accompanied by a poor quality of life (QoL) due to limited therapeutic options.
In the past few decades, refinement in patient selection and the introduction of new clinical modalities such as cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have dramatically changed the landscapes and prognoses in PSM.5,6
1. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)
CRS is the principal component of curative treatment for PSM and involves complex surgical procedures to remove all visible tumour implants within the abdomen. Following CRS, a high concentration of heated chemotherapy is instilled intra-abdominally to eradicate residual microscopic tumour cells.
Patient outcomes and safety
Treatment with CRS and HIPEC in selected patients has been shown to prolong survival, with a median survival of 73 months in ovarian cancer and 22-47 months in colorectal cancer.7-8
Furthermore, CRS and HIPEC procedures performed in high-volume centres are considered safe, with morbidity and mortality rates equivalent to other major oncologic surgical procedures.9
In terms of QoL, patients will typically undergo a transient deterioration of QoL within the first three months before returning to baseline or see an improvement by six to 12 months.10,11
Patient selection
The criteria for the selection of candidates for CRS and HIPEC procedures are as follows:
- Disease is limited to the abdominal cavity based on radiological evaluation
- The ability to achieve no or minimal residual disease
- The patient’s fitness is suitable to undergo CRS and HIPEC safely (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1)
Figure 2 Schematic of CRS and HIPEC procedure
Despite the evidence for CRS and HIPEC, only a minority of patients are eligible for this treatment. At SPRinT, approximately 33% of patients who are considered for CRS and HIPEC complete the procedure.12
In patients who are not suitable to undergo CRS and HIPEC, palliative surgery, systemic or intraperitoneal chemotherapy can be performed to relieve symptoms.
2. Neoadjuvant bidirectional chemotherapy
Newer forms of chemotherapy administration such as neoadjuvant bidirectional chemotherapy have also been developed in attempt to downstage disease and improve the likelihood of complete CRS.
This treatment modality uses multiple and repeated intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy to target PSM from both sides of the peritoneum (the peritoneal cavity and subperitoneal blood vessels).
Patient outcomes
Using this treatment in gastric PSM, the rate of complete CRS was increased and overall survival was improved (median survival of 15.1 months).13
3. Pressurised intraperitoneal aerosolised chemotherapy (PIPAC)
Pressurised intraperitoneal aerosolised chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a novel treatment modality that was recently adopted as a form of palliative treatment for PSM. It uses a minimally invasive keyhole procedure to administer chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity in an aerosol form.
Patient outcomes
This procedure has been shown to be safe with minimal side effects and improved QoL. Treatment response was also reported in 62-88% of ovarian cancer cases (median survival of 11-14.1 months), 50-91% for gastric cancer (median survival of 8.4-15.4 months), and 71-86% of colorectal cancer cases (median survival of 15.7 months).14
Figure 3 Schematic of PIPAC setup
THE COMPREHENSIVE PERITONEAL DISEASE PROGRAMME AT NCCS
The diagnosis and treatment of PSM pose an interdisciplinary challenge that requires a dedicated multidisciplinary team approach with expertise in performing complex oncological procedures for the best possible outcome.
At NCCS, all cases are reviewed by a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in the management of PSM, which comprises surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, a multidisciplinary palliative intervention team and a research team. This allows for personalised medical treatment for each patient.
With a team with wide-ranging expertise, the patient has access to a comprehensive array of up-to-date medical treatments for PSM. SPRinT surgeons have much experience performing CRS and HIPEC in Asia, with over 500 procedures since 2001 and with outcomes comparable to other international high-volume centres.15
Pseudomyxoma peritonei: origins and presentations
Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), also known as ‘jelly belly’, is a rare peritoneal malignancy characterised by diffuse and progressive intraperitoneal accumulation of mucinous ascites. It most commonly originates from the mucinous neoplasm of the appendix, such as low-grade appendiceal neoplasms (LAMN), high-grade appendiceal neoplasms (HAMN), mucinous adenocarcinomas (with or without signet ring cells) and goblet cell carcinoids (GCC). Less commonly, it could also arise from the mucinous neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and ovary.15
Here, we introduce three cases of PMP with varying presentations that were referred to SPRinT. These cases serve to highlight the varying ways in which such tumours can present.
Case studies -
Case 1 – Ms R is a 47-year-old woman who presented to the polyclinic with palpable pelvic mass over the right lower abdomen. Investigations revealed a large right ovarian cystic mass, appendiceal mucocele, mild ascites and raised carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. She was subsequently diagnosed with pT4aNxM1c LAMN.
- Case 2 – Ms N is a 43-year-old woman who presented with worsening abdominal distension for three months that was accompanied with a loss of appetite. Investigations revealed a large right ovarian cystic mass with a smaller left ovarian mass, massive ascites and extensive peritoneal deposits with mucin pools. Histopathology examination showed PMP possibly from GIT origin or mature cystic teratoma.
- Case 3 – Ms P is a 36-year-old woman who first presented with a ruptured appendiceal mucocele and mucinous gelatinous-like substance in the entire peritoneum. She was diagnosed with pT4aN0 PMP of LAMN origin.
Multidisciplinary management and recovery
All three cases were discussed at the multidisciplinary tumour board and were recommended for CRS and HIPEC. They recovered well postoperatively and are currently disease-free and on regular follow-up for surveillance with the SPRinT team.
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THE SPRinT SERIES: PARTNERING GPs TO CARE FOR ADVANCED AND RARE CANCERS
This is the third in a five-part series of articles, ‘The SPRinT Series’ – in which we discuss the work that SPRinT does, the key aspects of SPRinT’s clinical focus and the role of general practitioners (GPs) in providing care.
Due to the rarity of these tumours, it is critical for patients to be promptly referred to a specialist department/centre, such as SPRinT, to provide the best outcomes.
GPs are our first line of defence, and close collaboration between SPRinT and the GP community is essential for the timely diagnosis and referral of patients with rare tumours.
Read the other parts of the series here:
For GP referrals to the Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), please contact NCCS at:
Hotline: 6436 8288
Email: [email protected] Click here for more information on the department. |
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- Sugarbaker PH. Gastric cancer: prevention and treatment of peritoneal metastases. Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment. 2018;4:7.
- Kamada Y, Hida K, Yonemura Y, et al. The Characteristics of 206 Long-Term Survivors with Peritoneal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer Treated with Curative Intent Surgery: A Multi-Center Cohort from PSOGI. Cancers. 2021;13(12):2964.
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- Sleightholm R, Foster JM, Smith L, et al. The American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Multi-Institution evaluation of 1,051 advanced ovarian cancer patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: an introduction of the peritoneal surface disease severity score. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2016;114(7):779-784.
- Hall B, Padussis J, Foster JM. Cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the management of colorectal peritoneal metastasis. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2017;97(3):671-682.
- Foster JM, Sleightholm R, Patel A, et al. Morbidity and Mortality Rates Following Cytoreductive Surgery Combined With Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Compared With Other High-Risk Surgical Oncology Procedures. JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(1):e186847.
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- Chia CS, Tan GHC, Lim C, Soo KC, Teo MCC. Prospective Quality of Life Study for Colorectal Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2016; 23:2905–2913.
- Wang W, Tan GHC, Skanthakumar T, Shulyn Chia CS, Soo KC, Teo MCC. Exploring the trend in referrals for consideration of CRS and HIPEC to understand the attitudes of clinicians in the development of a national cancer centre programme in peritoneal disease. International Journal of Hyperthermia. 2018;34:5:551-558.
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