A treatment for ovarian cancer that has been around since the 1970s, IP, or intraperitoneal chemotherapy (also known as "belly bath chemo") is a procedure done by inserting a catheter into the patients' belly to deliver chemotherapy. "It makes a lot of sense," says Dr. Beth Karlan, director of the Women's Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. "We have said that ovarian cancer tends to spread within the abdominal cavity, [so] why not put chemotherapy in the abdominal cavity, right next to the cancer cells."
The treatment, done post-operatively, which also includes some chemo being delivered through an IV, allows for a higher dose of chemotherapy, so that more cancer cells can be killed. This type of targeted treatment is crucial for those cancers that are particularly difficult to treat. Ovarian cancer (like colorectal or gastric cancer) often spread to the lining surfaces of the abdominal cavity. Traditionally, chemotherapy for these cancers has had a low rate of success.
Read MoreFurthermore, the treatment seems to be well tolerated by women, with no additional side effects. Because HIPEC delivers chemotherapy directly to the abdomen, it is considered a good option for cancers that have originated or spread to the abdominal cavity, allowing for a greater concentration of the drug exactly where it is needed, without exposing other parts of the body. HIPEC can be used for a wide range of cancers, including appendix, colorectal, mesothelioma, stomach, peritoneal, and, of course, ovarian cancer.
The results thus far have been very promising. According to Reuters Health, women who underwent an experimental procedure at eight hospitals in the Netherlands two years ago typically survived 45.7 months, compared to 33.9 months for women who just received the tumor-removal surgery and conventional therapy. Dr. Karlan observes, "that one big dose of the heated chemo seems to add survival benefits for patients."
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