NIPEC with Single-Dose Intraperitoneal Cisplatin and Paclitaxel in Stage III Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Sanjay M. DesaiObjectives  Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a heterogeneous, essentially peritoneal disease. Standard treatment consists of staging, cytoreductive surgery (CRS), and adjuvant chemotherapy. In this study, we intended to assess the effectiveness of single-dose intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in optimally debulked advanced EOC patients. Materials and Methods  A prospective randomized study of 87 patients with advanced EOC was done from January 2017 to May 2021 in a tertiary care center. Patients who underwent primary and interval cytoreduction received a single dose of IP chemotherapy for 24 hours after being divided into four groups: group A, IP cisplatin; group B, IP paclitaxel; group C, IP paclitaxel and cisplatin; and group D, saline. Pre- and postperitoneal IP cytology was assessed along with possible complications. Statistical Analysis  Logistic regression analysis was used to assess for intergroup significance in cytology and complications. Kaplan-Meir analysis was done to assess disease-free survival (DFS). Results  Of 87 patients, 17.2% of patients had FIGO stage IIIA, 47.2% had IIIB, and 35.6% had IIIC. Also, 22 (25.3%) patients were in group A (cisplatin), 22 (25.3%) patients in group B (paclitaxel), 23 (26.4%) in group C (cisplatin and paclitaxel), and 20 (23%) in group D (saline). Cytology samples taken during staging laparotomy were positive, and 48 hours post-IP chemotherapy, 2 (9%) of 22 samples in cisplatin group and 14 (70%) of 20 samples in saline group were positive; all of the post-IP samples in groups B and C were negative. No major morbidity was noted. In our study, DFS in saline group was 15 months, while in IP chemotherapy group it was 28 months and was statistically significant based log-rank test. However, there was no significant difference in DFS between different IP chemotherapy groups. Conclusion  Complete or optimal CRS in advanced EOC does have a possibility of microscopic peritoneal residue. Adjuvant locoregional strategies should be considered to prolong DFS. Single-dose normothermic IP chemotherapy can be offered to the patients with minimal morbidity, and its prognostic benefits are comparable to hyperthermic IP chemotherapy. Future clinical trials are required to validate these protocols.