Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Women with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Assess the rationale behind using i.p. chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer patients and critically evauate the data supporting its use.Interpret the argument that i.p. chemotherapy cannot be accepted as standard of care for first-line systemic treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma.Determine which epithelial ovarian cancer patients may be appropriate for i.p. chemotherapy.Avoid and/or manage the toxicities observed with i.p. chemotherapy. CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com The CME activity for this article consists of material from both “Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Women with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer” (Trimble et al.) and “Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer: The Con View” (Vergote et al.). In 2006, i.p. chemotherapy re-emerged as a controversial topic in debates about the optimal treatment for women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. In this paper, we address the rationale behind i.p. chemotherapy, the data supporting its use, the selection of appropriate patients for i.p. chemotherapy, how best to avoid and manage the toxicities observed with i.p. chemotherapy, and directions for future research.