HIPEC: Turning up the heat on ovarian cancer

Rhonda Farrell; Michael Burling

doi:10.1111/ajo.13297

HIPEC: Turning up the heat on ovarian cancer

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021 Feb;61(1):11-15. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13297. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Authors

Rhonda Farrell^{1

2}, Michael Burling^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ NHMRC CTC, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 33403660
DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13297

Abstract

Clinical trials of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC ) for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer are showing promising survival outcomes. HIPEC has the potential to eliminate ovarian cancer cells from peritoneal surfaces more effectively than systemic chemotherapy through enhanced pharmacokinetic and hyperthermia effects. However, many questions remain to be answered, particularly regarding the true place of HIPEC in the current era of new and effective targeted treatments. Concerns around the potential for increased morbidity, adverse effects on quality of life, and increased resource use following HIPEC use, can only be properly evaluated with ongoing high-quality clinical trials.

Keywords: HIPEC; clinical trials; intraperitoneal hyperthermia chemotherapy; morbidity; ovarian cancer; quality of life.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / therapy
Combined Modality Therapy
Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures
Female
Hot Temperature
Humans
Hyperthermia, Induced*
Ovarian Neoplasms* / therapy
Quality of Life