Intraperitoneal chemotherapy of ovarian cancer: A review, with a focus on practical aspects of treatment

On the basis of the results of three multicenter, randomized, phase III clinical trials, intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy has now been shown to be superior to standard intravenous chemotherapy in the primary chemotherapeutic management of small-volume, residual, advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.(1-3) The barriers to implementation of this treatment into clinical practice appear to be toxicity concerns, and a lack of technical expertise with the peritoneal infusion device. The goals of this article are to review the significant scientific evidence behind the rationale for implementing this therapy into routine clinical practice, highlighting the prevention and management of potential toxicities. The surgical and clinical management of the infusion catheters and their complications will be illustrated in detail.