Intracavitary chemotherapy for malignant disease confined to body cavities.

The direct administration of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents into the peritoneal or pleural cavities to treat malignant disease principally involving these regions is based on modeling studies suggesting a major pharmacokinetic advantage for the exposed cavity compared with the plasma. The safety and clinical efficacy of several agents administered directly into body cavities either singly or in combination have now been shown. Additional studies are needed to define optimal drugs, dosages and treatment schedules for the various tumors confined to body cavities. Whether this form of therapy will prove to be superior to standard systemic drug administration will require controlled clinical trials comparing the two treatment methods.