Apatinib for treatment of a pseudomyxoma peritonei patient after surgical treatment and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A case report

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare benign, but progressive, disease according to myxoma histopathology. Surgical resection is the preferred and most effective treatment, but the outcomes are often unsatisfactory. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old Chinese woman with PMP received apatinib at a daily dose of 0.5 mg for 15 d per cycle and at a daily dose of 0.4 mg to date for recurrent abdominal distension after surgical treatment and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. During the follow-up period, apatinib was the maintenance treatment with a progression-free period of 10 mo and the toxicity of apatinib was controllable and tolerable. Unfortunately, recurrence occurred 10 mo after administration. After two operations, the patient gave up treatment at the 18(th) mo and eventually died of intestinal obstruction and multiple organ failure. CONCLUSION: Apatinib may be an option for recurrent PMP after surgical treatment, but this conclusion remains to be confirmed.