Introduction/Background Previous research has documented that patients undergoing specialized, surgical treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian and colorectal origin perceived the cytoreductive surgery (CRS) as their best treatment option. Rather than discussing the alternatives, it was therefore vital for them to be candidates for surgery. However, CRS cannot be completed in all cases. We aimed to identify in which areas patients wish to be involved when CRS was not completed.

Methodology We applied a qualitative approach with individual interviews, generated in two rounds, a first during 2016–2017, and a second that finished August 2019. Participants were undergoing (CRS) and hyperterm intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian and colorectal origin, and purposively included to ensure variation regarding age, sex, and socio-demographics. The interviews followed a semi-structured guide, were digitally recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Subsequently, thematically structured content analyses were made (Kvale and Brinkmann).

Results The data material consisted in 14 interviews (with 12 patients and five relatives). The first warning of a changed treatment strategy was experienced when waking up earlier than intended or when noting that there was no ostomy. In this situation most patients wished to be informed as quickly as possible together with their relatives. First and foremost they needed: A plan for future treatment; to maintain a realistic hope and a meaningful everyday life; to rebuild their functional level; counseling concerning symptom management, sick leave and finances; support for relatives; and insight into and influence on decision-making processes.

Conclusion The transition from intentional curative to palliative care constituted a life-changing process containing elements of reorientation, restitution and new treatment cycles. However, this phase was by patients experienced as integrated part of the overall treatment course, and there was a great and often unmet need to regain physical strength and psychosocial well-being.

Disclosure Nothing to disclose