Cancer treatment and research
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The rationale for ip administration as an adjunct to surgery is firmly based on theoretical and pharmacokinetic grounds. The superiority of combined ip and intravenous chemotherapy over intravenous chemotherapy alone has been established in randomized trials in stage IIIc ovarian cancer patients. Intraoperative ip cytotoxic therapy results in a definite pharmacological advantage, since high peritoneal concentrations are achieved with limited systemic absorption. ⋯ Newer agents such as the taxanes and the camptothecins appear promising for ip chemoperfusion during or immediately after surgery. Pharmacodynamic aspects of HIPEC needing further preclinical study-including mathematical modeling - are the establishment of tumour tissue penetration of the newer agents and its relation to hyperthermia, the definition of the relative contribution of direct penetration versus vascular supply by absorbed drug, and the efficacy of combined ip and intravenous regimens. Ultimately, however, randomised trials of ip chemotherapy with surgery will have to provide the evidence base to further build upon.
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Taken together, these reports provide very provocative and encouraging data that have prompted some to conclude that cytoreduction and HIPEC represents a "new standard of care" for patients with MPM [26]. Certainly, for selected patients who have good performance status (low operative risk) and in whom complete or near complete cytoreduction can be achieved, this form of therapy is associated with a very notable overall survival ranging from 67 to 92 months in 2 larger series. Patient selection remains the central criteria for successful outcome. ⋯ The centers that report use of prolonged induction or post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy do not appear to have superior outcomes to those centers that use a more simple treatment regimen. Finally, although the intensity of therapy is considerable, once recovered, the patients appear to enjoy a good HRQOL. Although not specific for patients with MPM, 2 reports have convincingly demonstrated that HRQOL is significantly improved after HIPEC.