J Korean Med Assoc.  2016 Mar;59(3):175-179. 10.5124/jkma.2016.59.3.175.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

• Lim MC
• Park SY

• KMID: 2382721
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2016.59.3.175

Abstract

The standard treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer is maximal cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be considered as an alternative treatment strategy when unacceptable primary surgery, in terms of gross residual tumor remaining at the end of cytoreduction, is expected or in cases where poor general condition renders extensive cytoreductive surgery unsuitable. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is ideal for epithelial ovarian cancer because its spread is mainly limited to the peritoneal cavity. Several randomized controlled trials have reported a survival gain with intraperitoneal chemotherapy. However, disadvantages such as port-related complications, abdominal pain, and neurotoxicity hinder its wide use. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery has been suggested as an alternative treatment strategy for intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Ongoing clinical trials of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy will quantify clinical outcomes in the future, such as the survival benefit in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Keyword

Ovarian neoplasms; Drug therapy; Intraperitoneal chemotherapy; Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Drug Therapy*
Neoplasm, Residual
Ovarian Neoplasms*
Peritoneal Cavity