Prognostic factors associated with cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer

Objective: To identify factors affecting survival for women undergoing cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Methods: A retrospective study at Baskent University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Data were evaluated for 71 women with recurrent ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery with R0 resection plus HIPEC between 2016 and 2019. Potential factors affecting survival (platinum sensitivity, bevacizumab administration before HIPEC, albumin and CA125 levels, presence of ascites, age, number of chemotherapy lines, and time interval between last chemotherapy and HIPEC) were evaluated. Complications of HIPEC were documented.

Results: The median age was 58 years, and the median follow-up was 12 months. In univariate analyses, platinum sensitivity, albumin level, and time since last chemotherapy cycle affected overall survival. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, use of bevacizumab before HIPEC (hazard ratio [HR], 6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-32.3; P=0.018) and presence of ascites (HR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.65-17.5; P=0.005) were independent negative prognostic factors. Seven (8.9%) women experienced grade III-IV complications.

Conclusion: In recurrent ovarian cancer, HIPEC is a promising treatment with mild-to-moderate toxicity. However, the presence of ascites and progression under bevacizumab treatment before HIPEC seem to be negative prognostic factors; these findings will be important for patient selection.