Cytoreductive Surgery Plus Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Rectal Cancer

Abstract

The peritoneum is a common site of metastases from colorectal cancer. The treatment of peritoneal metastases has evolved from palliative care only to a potentially curative approach. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has slowly emerged as an effective locoregional treatment for peritoneal metastases from a variety of malignancies, including colorectal cancer. Most studies combine colon and rectal cancer today as one malignancy: “colorectal cancer”. In this respect, the majority of studies evaluating CRS plus HIPEC include only about 10–15% of patients with rectal cancer so that data concerning advanced peritoneal presentations of rectal cancer treated in this manner need to be viewed with caution. The purpose of this chapter is to review the incidence, treatment and outcomes of peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer and when relevant from rectal cancer specifically.