Objective: The aim of this study is to show that i.p. chemotherapy improves the evolution of the patients with an ovarian cancer, as the risk of a small number of complications due to this route of administration.
Methods: 85 patients (11 stage Ic, 4 IIc and 70 stage III) were treated from 1980 to 1993 (median of follow up > 77 months) by a cisplatin based immunochemotherapy administered intraperitoneally, by a needle.
Results: Median overall survival exceeds, 72 months (60 months for stage III). Out of 41 relapses, 11 took place after 48 months of follow up. Delayed general complications consisted of 2 chronic nephotoxicities due to CDDP and one leukemia. Local complications are dominated by serous adherences (5 cases of plastic peritonitis). Secondary cytoreductions turned out to be beneficial in this series in spite of relapse diagnosis of them being carried out to late.
Conclusion: Classic imagery remains disappointing for the exploration of the pelvic abdominal region. Paclitaxel by i.p. way seems very promising, which should launch once again interest in secondary debulking surgery.