Oxaliplatin versus Mitomycin C following complete cytoreduction for colorectal peritoneal metastases: a comparative study

Background and objectives Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can offer selected patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) a favorable long-term survival. While cytoreductive techniques are standardized, there remains great variability in HIPEC drugs with mitomycin C or oxaliplatin use based largely on institute preference. In this study, we compared outcomes based on mitomycin C or oxaliplatin use after complete cytoreduction. Methods This is a retrospective analysis over a 7-year period of all patients undergoing complete cytoreduction with HIPEC. Results Seventy-eight patients underwent complete cytoreduction with HIPEC during this time. Forty-six patients received oxaliplatin as HIPEC, and 32 received mitomycin C. There was no difference in patient characteristics, resections, or major morbidity between the two groups. Superficial wound infections were higher in the mitomycin C group (37.5% v 15.2%,p= 0.02). Median overall and disease-free survival for the entire cohort was 40 and 14 months, respectively. There was no difference in overall survival or disease-free survival between the two HIPEC groups (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.11-2.28). Conclusion Complete cytoreduction and HIPEC can offer selected patients a favorable survival. The choice of mitomycin C or oxaliplatin for HIPEC had no influence on survival. Prospective studies are needed to explore this important issue.