PSOGI World News – July 2026: New Insights into Surgery, HIPEC, and Personalized Care for Advanced Ovarian Cancer
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A quarterly newsletter with the latest news, views and announcements from Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI)
Led by pioneering surgical oncologist Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, PSOGI is a collaboration of experts from around the world on the treatment of peritoneal cancer and is dedicated to improving treatment and survival of patients with peritoneal metastases.
We are proud to share their quarterly newsletter.
The July 2026 issue of PSOGI World News brings together opinions and research summaries from international experts on the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer that has spread within the abdomen (peritoneal metastases). Rather than presenting one new study, this issue reviews the latest evidence and discusses how specialists are using surgery, HIPEC, minimally invasive techniques, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to improve patient care.
What were the key takeaways?
The focus of this issue is a collection of "definitive statements" from internationally recognized experts addressing some of the biggest controversies in the treatment of advanced tubo-ovarian cancer. Rather than presenting a single study, these articles review current evidence and expert consensus on topics including cytoreductive surgery, HIPEC, minimally invasive surgery, patient selection, and future innovations in ovarian cancer care.
1. The goal of surgery is complete tumor removal
Experts continue to agree that removing all visible cancer (called complete cytoreduction) offers patients the best chance for longer survival.
For many people with advanced ovarian cancer, surgery performed before chemotherapy may provide better disease control—but only if doctors believe they can safely remove all visible cancer. Care at experienced, high-volume centers is especially important because surgical expertise has a major impact on outcomes.
2. Not every patient should have surgery first
The publication emphasizes that treatment should be individualized.
Some patients benefit from surgery first, while others have better outcomes by receiving chemotherapy before surgery. Doctors consider many factors, including:
How far the cancer has spread
Overall health and physical fitness
Whether complete tumor removal appears achievable
The likelihood of surgical complications
Choosing the right sequence of treatment is just as important as the treatment itself.
3. HIPEC remains an important treatment—but it isn't the whole answer
Several articles reinforce that HIPEC (heated chemotherapy delivered into the abdomen during surgery) can improve outcomes for selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer, particularly after chemotherapy and interval cytoreductive surgery.
However, the authors also point out that HIPEC alone cannot eliminate every microscopic cancer cell. They suggest that future treatment strategies may combine HIPEC with additional intraperitoneal chemotherapy before and after surgery to further reduce the risk of recurrence. These approaches are still being studied and are not yet considered standard of care.
4. Surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer requires careful patient selection
When ovarian cancer returns, surgery is not appropriate for everyone.
The experts reviewed evidence showing that patients are most likely to benefit if:
Their disease remains sensitive to platinum chemotherapy.
Doctors believe all visible cancer can be removed.
Validated scoring systems predict a high likelihood of successful surgery.
Patients who meet these criteria may live longer after repeat surgery, while others may do better with systemic treatments alone.
5. Laparoscopy can help doctors choose the best treatment
A minimally invasive procedure called diagnostic laparoscopy allows surgeons to look directly inside the abdomen before deciding on treatment.
This helps determine:
Whether complete tumor removal is possible
Whether chemotherapy should be given before surgery
Whether surgery can safely be performed
Using laparoscopy may help some patients avoid major surgery that is unlikely to remove all of the cancer.
6. Artificial intelligence may improve future cancer care
One of the most exciting topics discussed is the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) during laparoscopy.
Researchers are developing AI tools that could:
Measure tumor burden more consistently
Track changes in cancer over time
Help surgeons identify suspicious areas
Support treatment planning
Although these technologies are still experimental, they may one day help doctors make more objective and personalized treatment decisions.
Why does this matter for patients?
This collection of expert perspectives highlights an important message:
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for advanced ovarian cancer.
The best outcomes come from matching each patient with the right treatment plan based on:
The extent of disease
Overall health
Tumor biology
Care provided by experienced multidisciplinary teams
It also reinforces the importance of seeking care at centers with expertise in cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, where specialists have the experience needed to safely perform these complex procedures.
What are the limitations?
This publication is not a clinical trial or a formal treatment guideline. Instead, it presents expert opinions and summaries of existing research. While many recommendations are supported by published studies, some ideas—such as combining HIPEC with additional intraperitoneal chemotherapy or using AI-based surgical tools—are still under investigation and require further research before becoming routine clinical practice.
Bottom line
Advances in surgery, HIPEC, patient selection, and emerging technologies are helping move ovarian cancer treatment toward a more personalized approach. For carefully selected patients, complete cytoreductive surgery—often combined with HIPEC—can improve outcomes, especially when performed by experienced teams. Ongoing research aims to make treatment even more precise and effective while reducing unnecessary surgery and improving quality of life.
