Clinical experience of pseudomyxoma peritonei in Taiwan with emphasis on the treatment and survival

Background/Aims: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare neoplasm with intra-abdominal gelatinous, jelly-like fluid accumulation. To assess the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and predictors of survival of pseudomyxoma peritonei in Chinese patients, we conducted this study. Methodology: Over a 27-year period, 15 patients with the diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei were enrolled. Their demographic, clinical, treatment and survival data were collected. Results: Seven patients were female and eight were male. The median age at diagnosis was 48 years old for 7 females and 66 years old for 8 males. Exploratory laparotomy and debulking surgery were performed for 11 patients (73%); 6 of these 11 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Among 4 patients without surgical treatment, 1 received chemotherapy and 3 had supportive treatment only. The 5-year survival for all patients and patients with surgical treatment were 39% and 62%, respectively. Patients with surgical intervention had longer survival (median, 125 months) than those without surgical treatment (median, 8 months) (P=0.0106). However, adjuvant chemotherapy did not further prolong the survival time (P=0.744). Conclusions: Surgical intervention rather than adjuvant chemotherapy appears to provide a longer survival for patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei.