Background: We evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) using paclitaxel as consolidation therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
Methods: Between November 1999 and January 2004, 18 patients with a negative second-look and 1 patient with positive peritoneal cytology only with stage Ic-IIIc epithelial ovarian cancer received consolidation intra-operative HIPEC using paclitaxel. The HIPEC was performed with open-abdomen technique, using 6 L of lactated Ringer's solution containing paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2), for 90 min in hyperthermic phase (43-44 degrees C). The survival rates were compared with 24 patients treated with conventional therapy (control group).
Results: The 8-year progression-free survival rates were 63.16% in the HIPEC-paclitaxel group and 29.17% in the control group (P = 0.027). The 8-year overall survival rates were 84.21% in the HIPEC-paclitaxel group and 25.00% in the control group (P = 0.0004). The time interval between initial treatment and HIPEC was statistically significant with respect to progression-free and overall survival in the HIPEC-paclitaxel group.
Conclusion: HIPEC with paclitaxel during 2nd-look laparotomy is feasible and relatively safe and showed a good effect on survival. In patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who have a complete pathologic response, HIPEC with paclitaxel should be considered as a consolidation treatment option.