Secondary debulking surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy in advanced or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications and the results of secondary cytoreduction surgery with intraperitoneal (i.p.) paclitaxel chemotherapy in advanced or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, records were reviewed for 13 patients who received i.p. paclitaxel therapy (175 mg/m2) during secondary cytoreductive surgery or surgery for recurrent disease. All these patients were initially treated with optimal debulking surgery (macroscopic persistent residual disease) and systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: Nine patients were operated for secondary cytoreductive surgery (group I) and four patients operated for recurrent disease (group II). Postoperative residual disease was absent or microscopic in 69% (n = 9). Median hospital stay was 16 days. Hematologic toxicity grade III-IV was reported by 12 patients (92%). Operative mortality was 7.7% (n = 1). Median follow-up was 22.7 months. The median overall survival was 25.5 months. The median disease-free survival was 8.5 months. The median disease-free survival for group I and II were respectively 11.7 months and 4.2 months (P = 0.3). Progression of disease after completion of treatment was documented in 62% (n = 8): six patients for group I and two patients for group II. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Secondary cytoreduction surgery associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy is feasible after adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for patients with recurrent or suboptimally resected ovarian cancer. Results on loco-regional control for recurrent disease are poor. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be discussed during a two-step surgical strategy, as secondary cytoreductive surgery.     

Comprehensive management of epithelial ovarian cancer with peritoneal metastases

Ovarian cancer has as its predominant pattern of dissemination metastases to the peritoneal surfaces and disease spread within the abdomen and pelvis that most commonly causes the patients demise. To combat peritoneal metastases, cytoreductive surgery with peritoneal and visceral resections is combined with intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy given in the operating room after the complete visible removal of ovarian cancer is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The results of the combined treatment are determined by the extent of prior surgery, the extent of disease as established by the peritoneal cancer index, and the quality of the cytoreduction as measured by the completeness of cytoreduction score. Recent clinical information on patients with recurrent ovarian cancer suggest a median overall survival of up to 60 mo. These data are greatly improved over the one year survival observed in the past.     

腹腔热灌注联合多西他赛、奥沙利铂静脉化疗治疗晚期卵巢癌疗效观察

目的:探讨肿瘤细胞减灭术(CRS)后腹腔热灌注联合多西他赛、奥沙利铂静脉化疗治疗晚期卵巢癌的临床疗效。方法:取2011年1月至2014年12月在河北医科大学第二医院就诊的晚期卵巢癌患者42例,其中观察组21例(CRS后+腹腔热灌注+多西他赛、奥沙利铂静脉化疗)、紫杉醇+卡铂组21例(CRS后+紫杉醇、卡铂静脉化疗)。比较两组的疗效、肿瘤控制、腹水控制、生活质量、治疗过程中的不良反应及并发症、无进展生存期(PFS)等。结果:观察组与对照组肿瘤控制差异无统计学意义(P0.05);腹水控制、生活质量、PFS均优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。不良反应及并发症无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:在临床上对于晚期卵巢癌患者采取CRS术后腹腔热灌注联合多西他赛、奥沙利铂静脉化疗,对于患者的疗效、肿瘤控制、腹水控制、生活质量、PFS有提高,且不明显增加不良反应及并发症。     

Primary Adjunctive Whole Abdominal Radiotherapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Results of 10-Years'' Experience

During a 10-year period from January 1, 1979, 59 patients out of a total of 203 undergoing definitive treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer were managed with primary adjuvant whole abdominal radiotherapy after initial cytoreductive surgery. The median survival of this group was 53 months. The serious morbidity rate was approximately 8% with 4 laparotomies for bowel complications and 1 death following radiation related liver failure. This form of adjuvant therapy in appropriately selected patients with minimal residual disease merits further evaluation against other forms of therapy such as systemic or intraperitoneal chemotherapy.     

Intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy using carboplatin: a phase I analysis in ovarian carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Cyclic platinum-based intraperitoneal chemotherapy has proven to be effective after optimal surgical cytoreduction in ovarian carcinoma. Hyperthermia is directly cytotoxic and enhances chemotherapy tumoricidal effects. This study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of carboplatin used intraoperatively as intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC), the effect on postoperative systemic chemotherapy administration, and the potential for repeat IPHC at second look surgery. METHODS: Using the ThermoChem HT System, escalating doses of carboplatin (400, 600, 800, 1000, and 1200 mg/m(2)) were administered intraoperatively as IPHC with a perfusion time of 90 min. A subgroup of eight patients that received initial IPHC and subsequent systemic chemotherapy underwent second look reassessment surgery with IPHC. RESULTS: The first 4 dose levels were well tolerated without dose-defining toxicity. The initial two patients treated at 1200 mg/m(2) developed grade 4 myelosuppression thus defining the MTD at 1000 mg/m(2). Newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients receiving the initial IPHC at the MTD defined above completed standard systemic chemotherapy with six courses of systemic chemotherapy. Eight patients having initial IPHC and systemic chemotherapy subsequently had repeat IPHC performed at second look laparotomy without grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Four patients were found to have extensive adhesions at the time of second look reassessment surgery yet completed IPHC. CONCLUSIONS: The MTD for intraperitoneal carboplatin administered as IPHC was established at 1000 mg/m(2). IPHC at the initial cytoreductive procedure did not preclude subsequent systemic chemotherapy. In addition, repetitive IPHC was feasible at second look reassessment surgery.     

Effects of intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effect of intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) in ovarian cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 117 stages Ic-III ovarian cancer patients, who were diagnosed at the Gynecology Department of Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital between January 1994 and January 2000. Of these, 57 patients underwent cytoreductive surgery (conventional treatment) with IPHC and 60 patients (control group) underwent conventional treatment only. IPHC consisted of administering a mixture of 350 mg/m(2) of carboplatin and 5,000,000 IU/m(2) of interferon-alpha, and maintaining the intraperitoneal temperature at 43-44 degrees C during surgery. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 58.6%; that of the IPHC group was 63.4% vs. 52.8% in the control group, with significantly higher survival in the IPHC group (P = 0.0078). Considering stage III ovarian cancer patients only (n = 74), the survival rate was 53.8% in the IPHC group (n = 35) and 33.3% in the control group (n = 39) and was significantly higher in the IPHC group (P = 0.0015). For stage III ovarian cancer patients whose tumor was reduced to less than 1 cm during a second procedure (n = 53), the 5-year survival rate was 65.6% in patients who underwent IPHC (n = 26) and 40.7% in the control patients (n = 27) (P = 0.0046). IPHC was an independent prognostic factor that was not affected by surgical staging, tumor size after second surgery, or patient age, according to a multivariate analysis (Hazard ratio = 0.496, P = 0.0176). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that IPHC is a promising new treatment modality in ovarian cancer.     

Treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer with secondary cytoreduction and continuous intraoperative intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (CIIPHCP)

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the combined effect of secondary cytoreduction and continuous intraoperative intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (CIIPHCP), in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, in a phase II clinical study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive, heavily pre-treated patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, were treated with a combination of cytoreductive surgery and CIIPHCP. All patients had extended peritoneal carcinomatosis. In 14 out of the 20 pts (70 %) the recurrence occurred during chemotherapy or within 6 months after the end of the chemotherapy. Thirteen pts (65 %) had preoperatively malignant ascites, whereas the remaining seven pts (35 %) had positive peritoneal cytology washings. RESULTS: No complications emerged during operation and CIIPHCP. Median ascites-free period after CIIPHCP was 21 months (range 3-109). Median survival time for patients with residual disease less than 1.5 cm was 29.0 months, whereas for patients with residual disease equal or greater than 1.5 cm, the median survival time was 7.0 months. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The survival data of our patients and the disappearance of the malignant ascites postoperatively suggest that continuous intraoperative intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion is an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.     

舌下含服硝酸甘油倾斜试验诊断儿童血管迷走性晕厥的价值

目的 探讨舌下含服硝酸甘油倾斜试验(SNHUT)对儿童血管迷走性晕厥(VVS)的诊断价值。 方法 2001年3月至2005年5月在中南大学湘雅二医院儿童晕厥专科就诊或住院的不明原因晕厥(UPS)患儿143例，年龄4~18(12.10±3.03)岁，男58例，女85例。电动倾斜床直立倾斜70°行基础直立倾斜试验(BHUT)，并对其阴性者中的64例在同一角度直接给予舌下含服硝酸甘油片0.2mg，再次评价试验结果。用SPSS 11.0软件进行微机统计学处理。 结果 (1)BHUT阳性率29.4%(42/143)，其中女性占73.8%(31/42)；SNHUT 64例，阳性44例，阳性率为68.7%。SNHUT显著地提高了VVS的检出率。(2)出现阳性结果的时间：BHUT为(21.31±13.24)min，SNHUT为(5.41±4.23)min。(3)反应类型：BHUT及SNHUT阳性患儿共86例，血管抑制型83.7%(72/86)，女性占53.5%(46/86)；心脏抑制型7.0%(6/86)，均为女性；混合型9.3%(8/86)，女性占62.5%(5/8)。(4)副反应：舌下含服硝酸甘油64例，未见明显不耐受现象或其他副反应。 结论SNHUT能提高儿童VVS诊断阳性率，副反应小，使用方便，可在儿科临床推广。     

Long-term survival in advanced ovarian carcinoma following cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures

The impact of cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures has not been extensively assessed in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. The aims of the study are to report the long-term results of patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures and to identify the prognostic indicators that may affect outcome. The records of 74 women with advanced ovarian cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical indicators were correlated to survival. The hospital mortality and morbidity rates were 13.5% and 28.4%, respectively. Complete or near-complete cytoreduction was possible in 78.4% of the patients. Overall 10-year survival rate was 52.5%. Complete cytoreductive surgery, small-volume tumor, low-grade tumor, the absence of distant metastases, the use of systemic adjuvant chemotherapy, performance status >70%, and limited extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis were favorable indicators of survival. Complete cytoreduction (P= 0.000) and treatment with systemic chemotherapy (P= 0.001) independently influenced survival. Recurrence was recorded in 37.8% of the patients and was independently influenced by the tumor grade (P= 0.037). Cytoreductive surgery with standard peritonectomy procedures followed by adjuvant chemotherapy offers long-term survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer who have limited peritoneal carcinomatosis and no distant and irresectable metastases.     

主动循环热灌注化疗对卵巢癌腹水疗效及HE4、CA125、VEGF和B7-H4水平的影响

目的 探讨卵巢癌腹水患者采用主动循环腹腔热灌注化疗治疗的效果及对血清肿瘤相关标记物水平的影响.方法 选取84例卵巢癌伴腹水患者,根据腹腔热灌注化疗方法分为主动循环组和常规组各42例,两组患者采用紫杉醇+顺铂实施不同的腹腔热灌注治疗.结果 主动循环组与常规组进入腹腔时的灌注液体温度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),抽出腹...     

Treatment of ovarian cancer with paclitaxel- or carboplatin-based intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy during secondary surgery

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of treating advanced ovarian cancer with paclitaxel or carboplatin in intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) during secondary surgery. METHODS: We reviewed clinical data of 96 eligible patients with stage Ic-IIIc epithelial ovarian cancer. After primary staging operation and 6-12 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, 22 patients were treated with IPHC-paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) and 45 patients were treated with IPHC-carboplatin (350 mg/m(2)) during secondary surgery. Survival rates were compared with those of 29 patients treated with only conventional therapy (control group). RESULTS: In stage III diseases, 5-year survival rates were 84.6% in IPHC-paclitaxel, 63.0% in IPHC-carboplatin (P=0.4098) and 32.8% in control group (vs. IPHC, P=0.0003). Three-year progression-free survival rates in stage III diseases were both 56.3% in IPHC-paclitaxel and IPHC-carboplatin (P=0.8911) and 16.7% in control group (vs. IPHC, P=0.0028). For the relative risk of disease progression yielded from multivariate analyses, hazard ratio of IPHC-paclitaxel was 0.281 (P=0.0039) and that of IPHC-carboplatin was 0.443 (P=0.0083). Like carboplatin (hazard ratio: 0.396, P=0.0004), IPHC-paclitaxel considerably decreased the risk of death (hazard ratio: 0.197, P=0.0253). CONCLUSION: In advanced ovarian cancer, IPHC using paclitaxel or carboplatin during secondary surgery could be a candidate for regional consolidation therapy to prolong survival and hinder disease progression.     

Second-line treatment of first relapse recurrent ovarian cancer

First-line therapy of advanced ovarian cancer involves primary cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Progression of incompletely resected disease or recurrence after cytoreduction is inevitable. The approach to second-line treatment is ill-defined and chemotherapy remains the conventional approach, with surgery being reserved in some patients to debulk or palliate symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests that secondary cytoreduction improves progression-free and overall survival. This approach may be appropriate in selected patients. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy delivered in the adjuvant setting postoperatively has been shown to be more effective than systemic chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer after primary surgery. However, its use has not been well accepted and has not been adopted in secondary surgery. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy delivered intraoperatively during surgery has been of clinical interest and may prove to be efficacious and advantageous. The support of the gynaecological cancer medical and surgical community to embrace the efforts and assist in the recruitment of appropriate patients into randomised trials of first relapse recurrent ovarian cancer will provide answers to questions and establish evidence that would impact the care of ovarian cancer patients.     

晚期卵巢上皮性癌不同化疗途径临床对比研究

目的 探讨晚期卵巢上皮性癌(卵巢癌)腹腔与静脉两种途径化疗的利弊关系.方法 回顾性分析1998年1月-2006年1月经湖南省肿瘤医院收治的226例晚期卵巢癌患者的临床资料,患者均行肿瘤细胞减灭术(包括满意的和不满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术),且术后接受了6～8个疗程的规范性化疗,化疗方案为紫杉醇+顺铂或卡铂(TP)、顺铂+环磷酰胺(PC)、顺铂+环磷酰胺+多柔比星(PAC)方案.将患者随机分为腹腔化疗组(IPC组,120例)和静脉化疗组(IVC组,106例),对两组患者的疗效、复发及生存情况、化疗所致的毒副反应及并发症进行比较.结果 (1)疗效:第一阶段(3个疗程后)评定,IPC、IVC组的有效率分别为75.8%、52.8%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);第二阶段(总疗程结束后)评定,IPC、IVC组的有效率分别为93.9%、87.7%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).(2)复发情况:IPC、IVC组行满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术后患者的复发率分别为47.0%、59.4%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);行不满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术后患者的复发率分别为84.8%、86.2%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).IPC、IVC组复发时间分别为24、18个月,IPC组较IVC组延长了6个月,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.001).(3)生存情况:IPC、IVC组总的生存时间分别为32和30个月,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.188).(4)化疗毒副反应及并发症:IVC、IPC组化学性静脉炎的发生率分别为34.0%、10.8%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＜0.01);化疗所致的严重消化道反应分别为33.8%、25.8%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.236);骨髓抑制率分别为24.5%、25.0%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.906);肠粘连发生率分别为5.0%、1.8%,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.206).结论 IPC比IVC可延长患者复发时间,但对总的生存时间无明显影响,IPC可降低化学性静脉炎的发生率.IPC有一定局限性,不能取代IVC,但两者配合使用可互补疗效,减少并发症的发生.     

Intraperitoneal cisplatin-based chemotherapy vs. intravenous cisplatin-based chemotherapy for stage III optimally cytoreduced epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the survival between intraperitoneal cisplatin-based chemotherapy (IPCT) and intravenous cisplatin-based chemotherapy (IVCT) in stage III epithelial ovarian cancer with minimal residual disease (<1 cm) after primary debulking surgery. METHOD: One hundred and thirty-two patients with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer after optimal primary debulking surgery with minimal residual disease between April 1990 and March 1995 were entered into a randomized clinical trial in which IPCT or IVCT was administered at 3-week intervals. Patients in the IPCT arm received cisplatin-based (100 mg/m(2)) intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Patients in the IVCT arm received cisplatin-based (50 mg/m(2)) intravenous chemotherapy. The tumor response was assessed every 3 months. The hematological toxicity using the South West Oncology Group (SWOG) toxicity criteria was assessed. Catheter complications associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy were also analyzed. RESULT: The estimated median survival in the IPCT group was 43 months (95% confidence interval, 34-54) and IVCT group was 48 months (95% confidence interval, 37-59). The hazard ratio of death was not statistically significant between IPCT and IVCT (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.69-1.86; P=0.317). The frequencies of hematological toxic effects were significantly lower in the IPCT group than in the IVCT group. CONCLUSION: Intravenous and intraperitoneal chemotherapy are associated with equivalent survival in patients with minimal residual stage III epithelial ovarian cancer after optimal cytoreductive surgery.     

高精度持续循环腹腔热灌注化疗联合静脉化疗治疗卵巢癌的临床研究

目的：观察高精度持续循环腹腔热灌注化疗（IPHC）联合静脉化疗治疗卵巢癌的临床疗效。方法：分析2011—2012年就诊于郑州大学人民医院50例行满意的卵巢癌减灭术患者,随机分为2组。灌注组28例,行高精度持续循环IPHC联合静脉化疗;对照组22例,行“紫杉醇脂质体135 mg/m2+奥沙利铂135 mg/m2”方案（PT方案）静脉化疗,观察2组患者的临床治疗效果。结果：2组患者术后1个月、3个月血清CA125降至正常比例比较差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。2组患者术后1个月、3个月腹水治疗有效率比较差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。需要对症处理的化疗后Ⅱ级毒副反应灌注组低于对照组（χ2=7.417,P=0.006）。生活质量改善率灌注组高于对照组（χ2=5.936,P=0.015）。结论：高精度持续循环IPHC联合静脉化疗能够提高卵巢癌的临床疗效,有效地控制卵巢癌恶性腹水,降低严重的化疗毒副反应的发生率,改善生活质量。     

Long term survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy

Abstract. Epenetos AA, Hird V, Lambert H, Mason P, Coulter C. Long term survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy.
Purpose: To determine the long term survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with radioimmunotherapy following cytoreductive surgery and platinum based chemotherapy.
Patients and Methods: Eligibility criteria included patients with histological evidence of ovarian cancer stages IC-IV following completion of conventional platinum containing chemotherapy. Of 52 patients entered into the study, 31 had residual disease following standard chemotherapy and 21 patients had achieved complete remission. Treatment consisted of one intraperitoneal administration of 25 mg of monoclonal antibody HMFG1 labelled with 18 mCi/m² of ⁹⁰Y. Survival was the primary end-point.
Results: In the group of 21 patients who had achieved complete remission following surgery, conventional chemotherapy and intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy, the median survival has not been reached with a maximum follow-up of 12 years. Survival at greater than 10 years is 78%.
Conclusion: This study suggests that a substantial proportion of patients who achieve complete remission with conventional therapy can achieve a long-term survival benefit when treated with intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy using HMFG1 labelled with ⁹⁰Y.     

腹腔灌注与静脉化疗治疗晚期卵巢癌的疗效对比研究

目的：比较单纯静脉给药化疗与腹腔灌注化疗2种给药途径治疗晚期上皮性卵巢癌的临床疗效。方法：选取天津市第五中心医院62例晚期上皮性卵巢癌患者,将患者随机分为静脉滴注组和腹腔灌注组。静脉滴注组方案：紫杉醇135 mg/m2静脉滴注,24 h 后顺铂75 mg/m2静脉滴注;腹腔灌注组方案：紫杉醇135 mg/m2静脉滴注,24 h 后顺铂100 mg/m2腹腔灌注,第8天给予紫杉醇60 mg/m2腹腔灌注。所有患者进行随访,分别对2组患者的近期疗效、远期疗效和不良反应等进行比较。结果：腹腔灌注组肿瘤缓解率较静脉滴注组有增高趋势,但差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;腹腔灌注组的疾病无进展生存期（progression-free survival,PFS）和2年生存率均显著高于静脉滴注组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。腹腔灌注组的不良反应发生率高于静脉滴注组,2组贫血、肝功能损害及神经毒性发生率差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：腹腔灌注化疗可有效提高晚期上皮性卵巢癌患者的PFS和2年生存率,改善患者预后。     

卵巢上皮性癌复发的处理

目的 探讨影响卵巢上皮性癌复发的因素及处理方法。方法 对１８９例卵巢癌进行回顾性分析,全部手术切除标本均经病理检查证实。结果 １８９例中,复发３１例。其中１９例为我院施行肿瘤细胞减灭术,残留癌灶直径≤２ｃｍ;１２例为外院施行肿瘤细胞减灭术,达到临床愈后因复发转入我院。复发的３１例初次手术中,Ⅰ、Ⅱ期４例（１２．９％）,Ⅲ、Ⅳ期２７例（８７．１％）。其中１０例手术切净者,平均复发时间为１７．２个月;     

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian cancer: a “useless intraoperative fever” or the next hot voice in the surgical management of the “silent killer”?

The aim of our opinion letter is to highlight the recent findings in the field of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) use in ovarian cancer management. Two recent studies reveal that ovarian cancer patients treated with HIPEC can extend their survival independently of the timing offered—either at the initial cytoreductive effort or at the time of disease relapse. The research field is flourishing and further data are awaited from randomised control trials. Although, HIPEC is not considered yet as the standard of care in the management of ovarian cancer patients, the initial findings of its use are promising.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of second-line intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES: From a theoretical viewpoint, intraperitoneal therapy in patients with ovarian cancer, a malignancy, which remains mainly confined to the peritoneal cavity is logical. Intraperitoneal catheters have moved to the forefront as a delivery system in cancer treatment. DESIGN: The authors sought to evaluate effects of intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) as a second line therapy for ovarian cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1996 to January 2002, 92 patients with recurrent or persistent cancer, after surgery, and first line chemotherapy, were treated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy as a second-line treatment. Only 74 were included in the study, due to incomplete of therapy (6 patients), spontaneous fold-out of catheter (3 patients), five patients were treated because of some other kind of carcinomas, three patients passed away during therapy because of independent reasons, and weren't be verified and a patient who had wrong pathological diagnosis in SLL. RESULTS: The three year survival in the whole group reached 58.62% for patients who responded to the first line chemotherapy, or when the debulking surgery was completed, which was a significant improvement in survival. There was a significant improvement in survival for patients with residual tumor < 5 mm compared with the whole group, and especially with these, whose residual tumors were greater then 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Survival was increased for patients who had a positive response to the first line intravenous chemotherapy, or had complete a debulking surgery 2. The response for IPC depends on the size of residual disease. 3. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy improves survival in ovarian cancer.