Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment modality that aims to target the main site of tumor dissemination in ovarian cancer, the peritoneum, by combining the benefits of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with the synergistic effects of hyperthermia all during a single administration at the time of cytoreductive surgery. High-quality evidence currently only supports the use of HIPEC with cisplatin at the time of interval cytoreduction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer. Many questions remain, including HIPEC's role at other timepoints in ovarian cancer treatment, who are optimal candidates, and specifics of HIPEC protocols. This article reviews the history of normothermic and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer and evidence regarding HIPEC implementation and patient outcomes. Additionally, this review explores details of HIPEC technique and perioperative care, cost considerations, complication and quality of life data, disparities in HIPEC use, and unresolved issues.

Automated summary

HIPEC is a treatment modality for ovarian cancer that combines intraperitoneal chemotherapy with hyperthermia during cytoreductive surgery to target tumor dissemination in the peritoneum. Currently, only cisplatin HIPEC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is supported by high-quality evidence for stage III ovarian cancer. There are many unresolved questions regarding the timing and candidates for HIPEC, as well as the specifics of HIPEC protocols.