Intraperitoneal chemotherapy after interval debulking surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer: Feasibility and outcomes at a comprehensive cancer center

Objectives Intraperitoneal (IP)-based chemotherapy following primary debulking surgery (PDS), although associated with substantial toxicity, is supported by a strong evidence base. We sought to determine feasibility and outcomes of IP chemotherapy after interval debulking surgery (IDS) among patients deemed ineligible for PDS. Methods We identified all patients with high-grade, stage III/IV ovarian cancer treated at our institution with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by IDS and postoperative chemotherapy from 1/2008–5/2013. IP and intravenous (IV) regimens were defined; demographic and clinical data were analyzed using appropriate statistics. Results Of 128 evaluable patients, 118 (92%) achieved ≤ 1 cm residual disease at IDS and 74 (58%) achieved a complete gross resection (CGR). An IP port was placed in 54/128 patients (42%), with 89% port utilization. Forty-eight (38%) of 128 patients received IP chemotherapy, 17 (13%) weekly IV paclitaxel/q3week carboplatin, and 63 (49%) q3week IV carboplatin/paclitaxel. Patients completed a median of 3 IP cycles (range, 2–6), with 3 (5.5%) of 54 ports removed due to complications. Overall survival (OS) for patients with a CGR treated with IP and weekly IV chemotherapy was 53.2 months (range, 24.7-NE), and 44.2 months (range, 30.2-NE) with any visible residual disease (p < 0.001). Median OS was 53.2 months (range, 44.5-NE) for IP-, not reached for weekly IV-, and 34.2 months (range, 27.5–49.8) for q3week IV-treated patients (p = 0.1). Conclusions Patients administered IP after IDS had a high rate of successful port utilization, with few regimen switches. Oncologic outcomes were optimal in patients with a CGR at IDS, regardless of chemotherapy used.