Completion of intraperitoneal chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer and catheter-related complications

Combination intravenous/intraperitoneal (IV/IP) chemotherapy has been shown in three randomized trials to be superior to IV therapy alone in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer with respect to overall survival (OS). We sought to evaluate the effect of dose modification of IP therapy on completion rates.

From November 1999 until August 2008, all optimally debulked, advanced stage ovarian cancer patients who received adjuvant IP chemotherapy at a single institution were reviewed. The primary endpoint was completion of 6 cycles of IP chemotherapy. This rate was compared to published results from GOG 172. A secondary analysis evaluated completion of chemotherapy based on IP catheter type. Statistical analysis was performed with a chi square test with a significance level of p<0.05.

One hundred and three patients received IP chemotherapy during this period. Seventy-five patients received the modified IV/IP chemotherapy regimen. Sixty-two patients (83%) completed all 6 cycles in our cohort compared to 119 patients (42%) reported in GOG 172 (p=0.0001). Fifty-five patients had a fenestrated catheter (F) and 48 had a non-fenestrated (NF) catheter. Eight patients in each cohort discontinued treatment, for a completion rate of 85.5% in NF and 82.3% in F (p=0.79).

The dose modifications utilized in this study allowed for completion of 6 cycles of adjuvant IP chemotherapy in 83% of patients. Choice of catheter type did not affect completion rates. Continued monitoring of outcomes is planned to compare PFS and OS. The high completion rate may increase acceptance of IP chemotherapy in the community setting.