Long-term quality of life after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: A survivorship analysis

AI Summary

Long-term generic quality of life after CRS + HIPEC is comparable to Portuguese norms, with improved emotional, mental, social function and pain domains.
Gastrointestinal specific QoL measures show few or no symptoms: GIQLI scores ≥3 and EORTC QLQ-C30 symptom scores low (0-33).
Patients with GI resection had some more prevalent but infrequent symptoms, without significant group differences; overall CRS + HIPEC showed no significant long-term harm.

Surg Oncol. 2026 Jul 3;67:102499. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2026.102499. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) has a negative impact on patients’ physical and mental health, decreasing quality of life (QoL). Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC (CRS + HIPEC) is the only potentially curative option for PC. However, it can be an aggressive procedure requiring multivisceral resection, particularly involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Its impact on long-term QoL remains poorly established.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term impact of CRS + HIPEC on both generic and GI QoL in our Centre and to compare generic QoL results with standard values for the Portuguese Population (PtP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis was performed including all patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC with curative intent between 2016 and 2020. All selected patients completed three QoL questionnaires: the SF-36, the Gastrointestinal QoL Index (GIQLI), and the EORTC QLQ-C30.

RESULTS: Mean time between CRS + HIPEC and the QoL survey was 66 ± 19 months. The median SF-36 scores, evaluating generic QoL, were very high, and no differences were found when compared with standard values for the Portuguese population. Furthermore, patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC showed better QoL outcomes in Emotional Performance (EP), Mental Health (MH), Social Function (SF), and Pain (P) (p < 0.005). When evaluating GI-specific QoL, both the GIQLI and EORTC QLQ-C30 reflected few or no GI symptoms (GIQLI ≥3; EORTC QLQ-C30 0-33). When specifically analysing patients who underwent GI resection, some GI symptoms were more prevalent, although infrequent, with no significant differences between groups.

CONCLUSION: CRS + HIPEC does not appear to have a significant long-term negative impact on either generic QoL or specific GI parameters.

PMID:42401102 | DOI:10.1016/j.suronc.2026.102499

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