The purpose of this study was to compare the survival of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) according to the modalities of treatment and find out the prognostic factors by evaluating clinical variables.

Thirty one patients were treated at Seoul National University Hospital between May 1995 and May 2005. The clinical data were collected retrospectively and all charts were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses with low-rank test were performed for the comparison of survival according to clinical variables, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for finding out the prognostic factors of PMP.

The mean age at diagnosis was 60.9 years and the mean survival (MS) was 25 months. The recurrence rate was 46.7 % and the disease free survival (DFS) till recurrence was 22.6 months. The prognostic factors affecting DFS were histology, FIGO stage, ascites, CA 125, residual disease in 1st and last operations by univariate analyses, but only FIGO stage was the statistically significant prognostic factor by multivariate analysis. Surgical treatment combined with chemotherapy (intraperitoneal or adjuvant) improved MS more than surgical treatment alone by univariate analysis.

FIGO stage is a prognostic factor that can predict the DFS in patients with PMP. Histology, CA 125, ascites, residual disease may be probably prognostic factors associated with DFS. Surgical treatment combined with chemotherapy is more effective than surgical treatment alone for the treatment of PMP.