Investigating risk factors for developing peritoneal carcinomatosis and recurrence in patients with T4 colon cancer

Abstract

Background: Patients diagnosed with T4 colon cancer (tumor invades other organs) are at high risk for developing peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), in which cancer spreads to the lining of the abdominal cavity, as well as cancer recurrence following treatment. Previous studies document this risk at approximately 40%. Significance: Disease spread from T4 colon cancer is common and life-threatening, while life-expectancy for patients that develop PC is as low as weeks to months. The severity of PC warrants further investigation into more aggressive preventative and curative surgical options beyond current treatment practice. Study Aims: 1. Determine rates of PC and recurrence at Beaumont Hospital 2. Investigate predictive factors that lead to recurrent disease Hypothesis: Development of PC and recurrence will be associated with severe tumor cell characteristics, advanced staging, treatment and surgery types, and the presence of other disease(s) in the body.