Abstract
Background: Cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy with mitomycin C for peritoneal carcinomatosis is used as a palliative treatment for a variety of malignancies. The purpose of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) of survivors (>3 years) after treatment. Methods: Patients were interviewed by telephone with the following tools: (1) the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colon (FACT-C), (2) the Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire, (3) the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, (4) the Life Appreciation scale, (5) the Psychosocial Concerns Questionnaire, and (6) performance status rating. Results: Seventeen (10 appendix, 5 large intestine, 1 ovarian, and 1 peritoneum) of 109 patients were interviewed from 3.1 to 8.0 years after treatment. Ten patients (62.5%) described their health as excellent or very good. No limitations on moderate activity were reported in 94% of cases. Paired t-tests were used to compare 10 patients who had baseline QOL data. FACT mean difference scores and P values (positive difference scores indicate improved QOL) were functional well-being: 4.9, P = .01; physical well-being: 3.3, P = .05; and FACT total: 14.3, P = .02. Conclusions: Long-term survival with good QOL is possible for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis after cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy.