1 Jul 2016Case Report
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy as palliative treatment for malignant ascites. A single center experience and review of the literature
Luigina Graziosi 1Elisabetta Marino 1Verena Angelis 2Alberto Rebonato 3Annibale Donini 1
Affiliations
Article Info
1 General and Emergency Surgery, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
2 Oncology Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
3 Radiology Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Ann. Ital. Chir., 2016, 87(4), 312-320;
Published: 1 Jul 2016
Copyright © 2016 Annali Italiani di Chirurgia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Malignant ascites is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity of patients with intraperitoneal cancer dissemination. This clinical condition could represent the terminal evolution of a lethal disease and could influence the prognosis, severely impairing the patients’ quality of life. Treatment options include a multitude of different procedures with limited efficacy and some degree of risk; diuretics, paracentesis, peritoneo-venous shunts and intraperitoneal biologic agents like anti-VEGF molecules, metalloproteinase inhibitors and immunomodulators are included. None of these approaches have been established as a standard of care because of their low efficacy or severe side effects. The last two decades saw the emergence of cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) as a viable therapeutic approach resulting in an effective cure against refractory malignant ascites. The following describes our experiences with 3 cases together with a literature review.
Keywords
- Chemotherapy
- HIPEC
- Laparoscopy
- Malignant ascites