Resolution of malignant ascites after intraperitoneal chemotherapy in women with carcinoma of the ovary.

The treatment of malignant ascites is a difficult task that faces the physician who is treating patients with advanced carcinoma. We describe the clinical course of three patients with malignant ascites caused by advanced carcinoma of the ovary who were treated with cisplatin-based intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In all three patients, there was resolution of the ascites with relief of symptoms caused by abdominal distention. Although one patient had a fall in the serum level of CA 125 (the antigen marker of carcinoma of the ovary) with repeated courses of intraperitoneal therapy, there was little reduction in the bulky abdominal tumors. Even though intraperitoneal chemotherapy, as currently administered, does not appear to effect a significant reduction in tumor in women with bulky carcinoma of the ovary, it may be of benefit in improving the quality of life. Larger numbers of patients should be studied to better assess the role of this method of treatment in the palliative cure of patients with symptomatic malignant ascites.