This early research is limited by a small number of participants and a short time monitoring patients. Researchers tested a treatment plan for people with colorectal cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen. Fifty-three adults participated in this trial at a single hospital in China. They compared getting chemotherapy and a drug before surgery versus having surgery right away. The study aimed to see if treating the cancer first made the operation easier or helped patients live longer without the cancer growing back.
Patients who received the drugs before surgery had lower scores measuring tumor burden compared to those who had immediate surgery. Blood tests showed significant drops in specific markers linked to cancer growth. However, the main goal of extending the time without cancer returning did not reach statistical significance in this group. The study did not find a clear difference in severe complications after the operation between the two groups.
The results suggest the pre-surgery treatment might shrink tumors without adding surgical risk. But doctors cannot say for sure if it helps patients survive longer based on this data alone. More research with larger groups and longer observation is needed to confirm these findings. Patients should discuss these options with their medical team as this approach is not yet standard for everyone.