Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy as palliative treatment for malignant ascites. A single center experience and review of the literature
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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.