Background: Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a known complication of colorectal cancer and has long been considered very difficult to manage. The survival has been reported to be under two years after systemic chemotherapy with or without palliative surgery. The most recent method of treatment is compiled of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) and has been suggested to significantly increase survival. The aim of this study was to research the cases of Icelandic patients undergoing this treatment overseas and the impact it has had on their disease.

Methods: A retrospective study of all Icelandic patients who have undergone CRS-HIPEC treatment abroad 2008-2017. Information was retrieved from medical records and from registry of the Icelandic Health Insurance committee of medical treatments abroad.

Results: A total of 11 patients have undergone CRS-HIPEC treatment after having received their initial treatment in Landspitali University Hospital. All of the surgeries were performed in the United States by the same surgeon in the years 2008-2017. The group consists of 10 women and 1 man with a mean age of 53 years. The cause of peritoneal carcinomatosis was appendiceal cancer for 7 patients (67%) and colon cancer for 3 patients (27%). One patient had a primary malignancy of the peritoneum, mesothelioma. Three patients suffered complications within 30 days of surgery, 2 had infection and 1 had an anastomotic leak. Another patient had a late complication of bowel stenosis and later a fistula. Five patients have completed their five year observation period post surgery without diagnosis of recurrence and mean follow-up time was 44 months. Out of 11 patients, 10 are still alive. Five have been diagnosed with recurrence of disease.

Conclusion: Icelandic patients who have undergone CRS-HIPEC treatment have in most cases done well and survival is comparable to other studies. Half of the survivors did not have recurrence of disease within 5 years of surgery. Prognosis has improved since the introduction of this treatment and every reason to keep sending selected Icelandic patients abroad to receive it.

Departments of 1Abdominal Surgery and 2Medical Oncology at Landspitali University Hospital and 3Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland.

Key words: Carcinomatosis, Colon Cancer, Appendiceal cancer, CRS-HIPEC, surgery.

Correspondence: Elsa B. Valsdóttir, elsava@landspitali.is