[Ovarian carcinomas. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy by needle]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Cancer Chemotherapy

Context:

• Ovarian carcinoma (OC) treatment often involves complex delivery systems for intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
• Implanted systems can lead to poor tolerance and complications.
• Alternative methods for intraperitoneal drug delivery are needed.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of combined intraperitoneal and intravenous first-line chemotherapy for ordinary ovarian carcinoma (OC).
• To assess the feasibility and complications of using a simple lumbar puncture needle for short-term intraperitoneal infusions.
• To analyze remission and survival rates in OC patients receiving this treatment regimen.

Summary:

• 61 women with OC received combined intraperitoneal and intravenous first-line therapy using a lumbar puncture needle for intraperitoneal infusions.
• Complete remission was achieved in 100% of Stage I and II, 79% of Stage III, and 12.5% of Stage IV OC patients.
• After a mean follow-up of 56 months, overall actuarial survival was 66% and recurrence-free survival was 54%.
• Second-line intraperitoneal chemotherapy in 26 recurrent OC patients resulted in 10 complete remissions, with 7 of these showing no recurrence after 27-61 months.

Impact:

• Demonstrates a simplified and effective approach to intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
• Suggests that less invasive methods for intraperitoneal drug delivery can yield comparable or improved outcomes.
• Provides valuable data for comparison with other salvage chemotherapy methods in recurrent ovarian cancer.