Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prolonged infusion of 5-fluorouracil using a novel carrier solution

A novel carrier solution, icodextrin 20 (7.5%) has allowed exploration of prolonged intraperitoneal (IP) infusion of the cytotoxic drug, 5-fluorouracil. Eighteen patients with intraperitoneal carcinomatosis were entered into a feasibility and pharmacokinetic study of prolonged regional (IP) chemotherapy.. Specialist nurses trained the patients to self-administer their own treatment via a permanent i.p. catheter. A twin bag delivery system was used to perform one exchange daily. It proved possible to deliver continuous (5 days per week) i.p. 5-fluorouracil at doses of 200 mg/m2 and 300 mg/m2 for up to 12 weeks. The toxicities seen were infective peritonitis, nausea and vomiting, lethargy and anorexia. This was a nurse-led study and the home-based therapy holds promise for patients with malignant peritoneal disease.