Turned down for cytoreductive/HIPEC surgery

Lisa5165

My husband was diagnosed in early October 2024 with peritoneal and colon cancer (Stage 4). Tumor was obstructing colon (partial) and he started chemo in late October. Had 7 rounds (48 hours each time) and never got sick from chemo and it made him feel 90percent better after a few treatments. Its almost like I have to remind myself he has cancer the past month or so.

The surgeon brought him in yesterday for a laparoscopy to see if he would be a candidate for the cytoreductive surgery. After the procedure, the surgeon told me that "from what he saw..he did not think my husband would be a candidate", and that we had to wait to get results from pathologist. He said he would talk to his medical oncologist after final reading of results from pathologist and decide whether he should get a few more rounds of chemo and then take a maintenance chemo pill or something else.

I am certainly not a doctor and after googling, it seems that maybe he is not a candidate because even though he seems like he is doing great, the cancer in his peritoneal is too widely spread?

Any insight or thoughts on this, or can anyone share if they were not deemed a candidate for this surgery? Thanks very much

bek3k

My husband has stage four appendix and peritoneal cancer
The surgeon stopped the surgery based on how much of the bowel and colon and small intestine would’ve had to be removed. He didn’t consider that my husband would’ve had a good quality of life after at all.
He can start chemo in two weeks if he chooses. In the fall, they’re supposed to be a trial at UTC Southwest for PIPAC which the surgeon said he would be a good candidate for.
I’m still just in shock over the whole thing.
The reason they did the chemo first was because the surgeon felt the cancer was already very widespread and wanted to knock the tumour load down some before he attempted surgery. Apparently it wasn’t enough.

POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Unresectable appendiceal adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastasis

On examination, there was disease in the RUQ, LUQ, epigastrium, entirety of the small bowel mesentery and intermittent serosa, entirety of the colon, right abdomen, left abdomen, RLQ, pelvis and LLQ. PCI was calculated at 30.

As such, I had my partner Dr. Polanco also assess and agreed that there was too much disease. We decided to stop the case.

Lisa5165

Bek3k,

I am very sorry to hear the news about your husband. My husband was really helped with the chemo, apparently, the surgeon said the chemo wiped out the cancer for now and we will continue another 6 rounds of chemo. Prayers for you and your husband and family and everyone battling this horrible disease.

bek3k

that’s wonderful.!!

and thank you