Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy added to the treatment of ovarian cancer. A review of achieved results and complications.

OBJECTIVE

The late revelation of ovarian cancer ensures it as the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy have been the cornerstone for a long time to treat this disease. More recently, the modality of intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy under hyperthermic conditions (HIPEC) has been added. This review surveys the results of HIPEC added to CRS in ovarian cancer.

METHODS

A multi-database search was conducted focusing on mortality, morbidity and overall and disease-free (DF) survival rates.

RESULTS

16 studies were identified reporting the results of CRS followed by HIPEC of 546 patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Postoperative mortality was reported for 14 out of 481 patients in total (2.9%). The major morbidity rate varied between 3.4 and 50.0%. In all but one study (533 patients), 185 events were reported (34.5%) and 21 re-interventions after 476 operations (4.4%). Survival data ranged from 10.0 to 57.1 months for the DF survival and from 19.0 to 76.1 months for the overall survival. Optimal cytoreduction and recurrent disease were associated with a better outcome in selected cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding HIPEC to the current treatment modalities for ovarian cancer seems to be feasible. Improved survival rates have been reported at the cost of acceptable mortality rates. Nevertheless, there was a selection bias, the morbidity should not be underestimated and it is unclear yet which patient will benefit most from this treatment. Randomized controlled trials will provide an answer to this question.