Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: belly-bath or pain-in-the-side?

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is based on sound pharmacological principles and is technically feasible. There is mounting evidence, bolstered by a recent randomized trial, that in certain patients, this route of delivery may be superior to traditional intravenous chemotherapy. This review explores the background and pharmacokinetic principles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, the recent evidence supporting an intraperitoneal approach, and some of the logistical and technical challenges involved.

RECENT FINDINGS

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been evaluated in several settings. Most phase I and II data came from second-line treatment of ovarian cancer, and there have been a few series, including one recent phase III trial, exploring intraperitoneal consolidation. The greatest impact among recent studies will be from a large, intergroup phase III trial evaluating intraperitoneal therapy in the front-line setting. This study will probably change the dialogue of standard treatment for optimally cytoreduced, advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

SUMMARY

Based on recent findings, intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be considered for the front-line treatment of women with minimal residual advanced ovarian cancer. Efforts should continue to facilitate the integration of intraperitoneal treatment into mainstream practice, and future trials should be designed to address lingering controversy surrounding this route of treatment.

The value of adjuvant therapy after radical surgery for colorectal cancer

Extensive efforts to improve survival for patients with colorectal cancer using adjuvant treatments in addition to radical surgery have long been tried but without success. Recent data from several controlled trials have, however, shown positive results. The collected information from several trials using different chemotherapy schedules indicate that overall survival is improved. The extent of this improvement is not properly known although several centres have considered it to be sufficiently large to merit routine use in certain stages. Likewise, the collected information from several trials using perioperative radiotherapy indicates that the proportion of local recurrences are reduced by about 50% but without any major influence on survival. Most evidence favours additional radiotherapy before surgery rather than after. If proper dose planning is utilized, sufficiently high doses can be given preoperatively without increasing postoperative mortality.