Publication

Abstract : Objective: To assess the effectiveness of surgical treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Referral center. Patients: Eight patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei, five with mucinous tumors of the ovary and three with mucoceles of the appendix. Intervention: All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery with removal of source i.e. panhysterectomy with appendicectomy in 5 and appendicectomy in 3. Systemic chemotherapy was used in 6 and systemic plus intraperitoneal chemotherapy in one case. Results: Over 18 to 86 months' follow up, two patients died (at 18 and 24 mo) and 2 are alive with recurrence. Recurrence occurred only in those with inadequate clearance of mucinous material at the initial operation. The remaining 4 patients are free of disease. Conclusion: Aggressive surgical therapy with-chemotherapy is effective in providing long-term relief or cure in pseudomyxoma peritonei.