Cytoreduction combined with intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy in advanced/recurrent ovarian cancer patients: The experience of National Cancer Institute of Milan

Aims: We report the effects of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion (IPHP) in the treatment of advanced/ recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) on survival, morbidity and mortality. Patients: Forty EOC patients were studied. Median age was 52.5 years (range: 30-68) and median follow-up 26.1 months (range: 0.3-117.6). Most patients presented advanced disease (stage III/IV). Previous systemic chemotherapy included cisplatin-based, taxol-based or taxol/platinum containing regimens. Results: After the CRS, 33 patients presented no macroscopic residual disease. Five-year overall survival was 15%; the mean overall and progression-free survivals were 41.4 and 23.9 months, respectively. The morbidity, toxicity and mortality rates were 5%, 15% and 0%, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CRS + IPHP merits further evaluation by a formal prospective trial. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.