Research summary
January 2006
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy trial shows improved survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer
Summary
Results of a trial involving over 400 women indicate significant survival benefits in delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdomen of women with advanced ovarian cancer. The new findings about the therapy, known as intraperitoneal chemotherapy, were published in the 5 January edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study compared the results of six cycles of standard chemotherapy delivered intravenously with the same drugs administered directly into the abdomen. The study found survival time for women receiving chemotherapy directly into the abdomen increased by 16 months.
National Breast Cancer Centre comment
While any news of improved outcomes for women with advanced ovarian cancer is welcome, there are still a number of questions that must be answered to ensure intraperitoneal chemotherapy can be delivered safely before it becomes standard therapy in Australia.
Women receiving intraperitoneal chemotherapy have more severe side effects and therefore it is important to know which women are more likely to benefit from this therapy and how the toxicity can be reduced.
The Australian Clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer, developed by the National Breast Cancer Centre and the Australian Cancer Network, recommend that any discussion about the use of intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be undertaken on a patient-by-patient basis. If it is appropriate, the treatment should only be provided at a designated cancer centre with experience in this type of chemotherapy.