Interval Cytoreductive Surgery and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Report of a Single-center Experience

Background/Aim: Emerging data suggest that addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) at the time of interval cytoreduction for patients with metastatic ovarian cancer is associated with a survival benefit. However, the implementation of this treatment is affected by concerns related to its potential morbidity. We present data from the first centre in the UK implementing HIPEC as part of treatment for patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study of patients planned to undergo cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for advanced ovarian cancer over a 30-month period. All patients had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery. Patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who underwent complete or near complete cytoreduction (<2.5 mm residual disease) received HIPEC using a closed technique. Results: A total of 31 patients were included in the study, of which 30 had complete cytoreduction and 1 patient had residual disease <2.5 mm. The mean age of the patients was 63.7 +/- 2.8 years. Median peritoneal cancer index score was 9 (range=3-31). The mean operating time was 515.4 +/- 55.1 min. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.6 +/- 0.8 days. In total, 24 complications were observed in 18 patients (58.1%), while 6.5% of the patients experienced grade 3/4 complications. There were no deaths within 30-days from the surgery. Age was found to be an independent predictor of both postoperative complications of any grade and prolonged hospital stay. Conclusion: Interval cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for patients with advanced ovarian cancer is associated with low perioperative morbidity.