[Intraperitoneal chemotherapy of metastatic ovarian cancer]

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy with CDDP and other agents was instituted to treat 2 cases of metastatic ovarian cancer (developing in one case of gastric cancer and one of colon cancer). At first laparotomy, cytological examination of ascites revealed malignant cells in the 2 cases, and metastatic foci were noted in non-ovarian regions as well. Macroscopic peritoneal dissemination was apparent in the case of colon cancer. Following surgery, 5 courses of chemotherapy were given. The gastric cancer patient was treated with intraperitoneal CDDP and etoposide, while the colon cancer patient was placed on intraperitoneal CDDP therapy and continuous 5-FU iv. Clinical CR was 7 months in the former case and 10 in the latter. Although small metastatic foci were present in the posterior peritoneum in both cases at second laparotomy, distinct peritoneal dissemination had disappeared in the case of colon cancer. Cytologic examination of intraperitoneal washings proved to be negative for malignant cells in the gastric cancer case but positive in the colon cancer case. These findings indicated that although the effect was limited to clinical CR, intraperitoneal CDDP administration for metastatic ovarian cancer is effective for improving short-term prognosis.