Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.
A large, recent study has shown significantly improved survival in women with epithelial ovarian cancer treated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This review is intended for all clinicians caring for women with ovarian cancer, including family physicians, general gynecologists, and oncologists. The subset of patients most likely to derive a survival benefit from intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be distinguished. Because effective surgical debulking is critical to long-term survival for ovarian cancer, it is important that women known or suspected to have ovarian cancer should be referred to centers with the surgical expertise and resources necessary for aggressive tumor debulking and safe delivery of intraperitoneal chemotherapy.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.


OBJECTIVE
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to state that there is a subset of women with widespread intraabdominal ovarian cancer who will have improved survival after a debulking procedure and intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy and explain that there needs to be the expertise and resources necessary to follow these patients.
Alhayki
Maryam
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. maryamalhayki@rogers.com
Hopkins
Laura
L
Le
Tien
T
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents