Peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer Treatment options for peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer

Background Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with a high rate of metastasis. Peritoneal metastasis occurs in up to 60% of all patients and synchronously in up to 30% in locally advanced gastric cancer. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been an established treatment option in selected patients for several years, as the HIPEC serves as an alternative administration route. Objective This article presents a schematic display of the various treatment options depending on the extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis in a gastric cancer. Methods A literature search and analysis of the current literature on the treatment of gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases were carried out. A differentiation was made between limited and extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis together with the appropriate treatment strategy. Results Principally, individual systemic chemotherapy is the backbone of treatment of gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases. In selected patients and in cases of limited peritoneal carcinomatosis, CRS and HIPEC can be conducted and survival is improved; however, CRS is still contraindicated in cases of extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis and in exceptional cases pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) can be carried out. Conclusion In selected patients CRS and HIPEC can lead to an improvement with respect to overall and disease-free survival. In cases of extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis, individualized chemotherapy remains the major treatment option.