Cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: an appraisal of outcomes and cost at a newly established peritoneal malignancy program

•Study of an emerging peritoneal malignancy center.•Morbidity and mortality comparable to larger established centers.•Direct cost comparable to major surgical oncology procedures.

BackgroundOutcome measures after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis in established centers are well defined. However, results from newly emerging US centers have not been reported.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients with peritoneal malignancies undergoing CRS/HIPEC.ResultsFifty-six patients underwent exploratory laparotomy with 36 receiving CRS/HIPEC over 36 months. The median peritoneal cancer index score was 18, and the cytoreduction 0/1 rate was 92%. Postoperative major morbidity was 16.7% with one perioperative death. The median length of hospital stay and intensive care unit days were 9 and 3 days, respectively. Disease-free survival in high-grade vs low-grade tumors was 12.6 and 31.0 months (P, .03), respectively. Average direct cost for patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC was $25,917.ConclusionsOur emerging center's short-term results are comparable with established programs with a trend toward more selective intraoperative judgment on who undergoes CRS/HIPEC.