Turaga, Kiran K

AbstractBackgroundGastric cancer with synchronous peritoneal metastases is a debilitating disease with limited treatment options. This article describes an update of the 2018 Chicago Consensus guidelines addressing the management of gastric cancer with synchronous peritoneal metastases in line with the most recent evidence.MethodsA clinical management pathway was updated through two rounds of a Delphi consensus to assess agreement levels with pathway blocks. Supporting evidence underwent evaluation using a rapid literature review. Meta‐analyses were performed as appropriate.ResultsOverall, the level of evidence in this disease subset was low to moderate. Of 124 participants in the first round, 109 (88%) responded in the second round. Strong consensus (>90%) was achieved in six of eight blocks (75%) in rounds 1 and 2. A multidisciplinary preoperative assessment and diagnostic laparoscopy should be offered to all patients, whereas patients with a high burden of disease or progression should undergo nonsurgical management. Patients with stable/responsive disease and a low peritoneal carcinomatosis index should subsequently be offered treatment with regional therapeutic interventions and cytoreductive surgery. In patients who are cytology‐positive, systemic therapy can be used to convert them to cytology‐negative, with subsequent surgery offered according to the patient's goals of care. Meta‐analysis of observational and randomized control trials revealed a survival benefit with the addition of intraperitoneal chemotherapy to cytoreductive surgery (hazard ratio, 0.52).ConclusionsThe consensus‐driven clinical pathway for gastric cancer with synchronous peritoneal metastases offers vital clinical guidance for practitioners. There is a growing body of high‐quality evidence to support management strategies, and future clinical trials are eagerly awaited.

AbstractNeuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) with peritoneal metastases (PM) represent a complex clinical challenge because of low incidence and heterogeneous phenotypes. This commentary describes the results of a national consensus aimed at addressing clinical management of patients with NENs and PM. An update of the 2018 Chicago consensus guidelines was conducted with a modified Delphi technique, which encompassed two rounds of voting. The levels of agreement for various pathway blocks were assessed, and key systemic therapy concepts were summarized by content experts. Supporting evidence was evaluated via a rapid literature review. Overall, the level of evidence for the management of PM in this disease was universally low. In total, 107 participants responded in the first round, with 88 of 107 (82%) participating in the second round. Strong consensus (>90%) was achieved in five of seven (71%) and seven of seven (100%) blocks in rounds 1 and 2, respectively. A multidisciplinary approach including psychosocial and wellness assessments received a strong positive recommendation. Management of NENs with PM was organized according to disease grade and symptom profiles. In grade 1 and 2 well‐differentiated NENs, cytoreductive surgery received strong support (>95%) after the management of functional syndromes (if present). For grade 3 well‐differentiated NENs, systemic therapy is the primary recommendation, with surgical resection considered in select cases. Given the limited evidence, the consensus‐driven clinical pathway offers vital clinical guidance for the management of NENs with PM. The need for high‐quality evidence remains critical to the field.