Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal in elderly patients

Background: The treatment of peritoneal malignancies in elderly patients with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an ongoing question due to the high associated surgical risk. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients, 11 (36.7%) older than 65 years, were submitted to CRS plus HIPEC. Criteria of patient eligibility were: peritoneal carcinomatosis of different origin, T3-4 gastric cancer, ECOG performance status <= 2, no extra-abdominal extension and no evidence of bowel obstruction. The median follow-up was 21.5 months (range: 1-63). The purpose of this retrospective study, was to evaluate the feasibility of this approach in elderly patients, with special reference to postoperative morbidity, mortality and survival. Results: We have recorded, in elderly patients, higher grade 3 and 4 morbidity and mortality, similar mean duration of cytoreductive surgery, of postoperative hospital stay, of median survival and of overall survival rates. Conclusion: Since there no statistical differences, in terms of morbidity and mortality, CRS with HIPEC may also be suitable for elderly patients.