Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: An Important Strategy in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Three trials by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), adequately powered, utilizing an intraperitoneal (IP) platinum-based regimen versus a standard intravenous (IV) regimen yielded results favorable to the IP regimen, with the last two trials having median survivals exceeding five years. However, only the first trial was a direct comparison of IP vs. IV cisplatin at the same dose (both combined with cyclophosphamide); the tolerances of the two regimens were quite similar. The conclusion that IP administration of cisplatin yields superior results to IV should not be discounted solely on the asymmetry of the two subsequent regimens, and on the tolerance issues that differ substantially among the 3 IP regimens used.