More Synchronous Peritoneal Disease but Longer Survival in Younger Patients with Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BackgroundColonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) is recommended starting at age 50years; however, CRC rates are increasing in the prescreening population. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been proven effective in select patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from CRC, although it has not been evaluated specifically in patients <50years.MethodsCRC patients aged <50years at diagnosis undergoing CRS/HIPEC 2007-2017 were compared with those aged 50years. Age distribution was analyzed in patients undergoing colectomy alone versus CRS/HIPEC for CRC 1993-2013.ResultsA total of 98 patients underwent CRS/HIPEC, of which 44% were <50years. Younger patients were more likely to present with synchronous peritoneal metastases (p=0.050). Receipt of perioperative chemotherapy was comparable (p=not significant [NS]). Charlson Comorbidity Index and ECOG score were similar (p=NS). Tumor grade was similar (p=NS). Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index, total organs resected, and anastomoses created were comparable (p=NS). Major Clavien-Dindo morbidity and LOS were similar (p=NS). Younger patients survived longer after CRS/HIPEC (p=0.011). Demographic data from patients undergoing colectomy (n=225) and CRS/HIPEC (n=98) showed that age <50years was increasingly common with the more aggressive procedure (9% and 44% respectively, p<0.001).ConclusionsYounger patients with PC from CRC presented more often with peritoneal metastases at the time of diagnosis. Yet despite similar perioperative features at CRS/HIPEC, they survived longer than older patients. Patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC are overall younger than those undergoing index colectomy.