The use of cisplatin plus doxorubicin or paclitaxel in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: Our main aim is to analyze the survival results in women operated on for advanced ovarian cancer with two different HIPEC regimens (cisplatin plus doxorubicin versus paclitaxel). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients with stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer operated on with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, from October-2008 to February-2016, was retrospectively analyzed. The two drugs used, cisplatin/doxorubicin (Group A) and paclitaxel (Group B), were compared. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were treated with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC; 19 patients (46%) were in Group A and 22 (54%) were in Group B. The extent of peritoneal disease was comparable between groups (Peritoneal Cancer Index of 10 in Group A versus PCI of 12.5 in Group B). There were no differences in morbidity between groups, with a severe morbidity (Dindo-Clavien III or IV) of 36.8% versus 27.3%, respectively. There was no postoperative mortality. Median follow-up was 39 months. Median overall survival was 79 months. Overall survival at 3 years in Group A was 66% versus 82.9% in Group B (p = 0.248). Incomplete cytoreduction (macroscopic residual tumour after surgery) was identified as the only independent factor that influenced overall survival (HR 12.30, 95% CI 1.28-118.33, p = 0.03). The cytostatic used in HIPEC had no influence in overall survival. CONCLUSION: The cytostatic used in HIPEC did not have a negative effect in the prognosis of patients with advanced ovarian cancer.