Inraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy for Those Suffering With Abdominal Cancer

New Hope for Those Suffering With Abdominal Cancer

Thanks to the results of a new Wake Forest University study, patients whose cancer has spread to the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (known as the peritoneum) may have a good reason to celebrate. Two studies show that surgery combined with Inraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy (IPHC) can improve survival rates.

Dr. John H. Stewart IV, assistant professor of surgery, reported the results of the study to those at the annual meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology on March 13th in Chicago. “A large body of literature suggests that oxaliplatin is superior to other chemotherapy agents in killing colorectal cancer cells,” said Stewart.

The specific purpose of the first phase of the study was to ascertain what the maximum tolerated dose of oxaliplatin used in IPHC treating is for patients with colorectal and/or appendix cancers that have spread to include the peritoneum. Out of 15 patients enrolled in the study, only two of those receiving treatment at the 200 mg amount ended up with significant toxicity levels. The others in the study were treated with 250 mg of oxaliplatin, with more severe toxicity levels recorded.

Overall, researchers came to the conclusion that IPHC treatment with 200 mg of oxaliplatin was generally well tolerated and should be the maximum for a two hour chemoperfusion. Furthermore, Stewart went on to explain that “the cancer-killing effects of oxaliplatin are increased when the agent is heated during perfusion.”

Still, the study has a long way to go before it hits the oncology department of suburban hospitals in middle America. “Based on the data from this phase I study,” Stweart said, “we propose to conduct a larger trial with oxaliplatin dose to study its efficacy in improving outcomes in patients with peritoneal carcinoma.”

The next day, Dr. Perry Shen, associate professor of surgical oncology at Wake Forest, reported on findings of a controversial study on the use of IPHC in patients with hepatic metastases (HM) and peritoneal cancer.

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