Complete Cytoreduction for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Is Optimal but Maximal Tumor Debulking May Be Beneficial in Patients in Whom Complete Tumor Removal Cannot Be Achieved

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a diffuse peritoneal malignancy that generally originates form a perforated appendiceal tumor. Optimal treatment requires extensive surgical resection to achieve complete cytoreduction combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In a proportion of patients this is impossible, in particular, owing to extensive irresectable small-bowel involvement. There is ongoing debate as to the role of maximal...