What Patients Should Know About HIPEC and Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Efficacy and Safety of Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Liu, HY., Tian, LH., Huang, G. et al. World J Surg Onc 23, 423 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-025-04076-7

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What the Study Looked At

Researchers examined data from over 1,100 individuals with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. This means their cancer initially responded to platinum chemotherapy but later returned. They compared two approaches:

1. SCS + HIPEC: Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. This involves removing as much visible tumor as possible and then washing heated chemotherapy into the abdomen during surgery.

2. SCS Alone: Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery without the addition of heated chemotherapy.

   
   

What They Found

Longer Overall Survival

The study revealed that individuals who underwent SCS + HIPEC lived longer on average than those who had surgery alone. This is a significant finding for patients considering their treatment options.

Time Until Cancer Recurrence

There was a trend toward longer progression-free survival (PFS) in the HIPEC group. However, this difference was not statistically strong enough to draw definitive conclusions. It’s important to keep this in mind when discussing treatment plans.

Safety and Side Effects

When it comes to safety, the overall risk of serious complications (grade 3 or higher) was not clearly higher with the addition of HIPEC. However, some side effects were more common in the HIPEC group, particularly:

• Anemia: A condition characterized by low red blood cell counts.

• Kidney Effects: Nephrotoxicity was noted, which refers to the potential damage to the kidneys.

  
  

What This Could Mean — and What to Know

For individuals with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer who are good candidates, adding HIPEC to surgery may improve overall survival compared to surgery alone. However, it does not guarantee that cancer will stay away longer. There is also a higher chance of experiencing certain side effects.

Considerations for Patients

It's crucial to approach SCS + HIPEC with caution. The results on recurrence-free time (PFS) are not conclusive, and safety risks do exist. This treatment option may be most beneficial at specialized centers that have experience with HIPEC.

Future Research

Future research is essential. Larger and more carefully designed studies are needed to better define who benefits the most from the combination of HIPEC and surgery. This will help guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, the study highlights the potential benefits of SCS + HIPEC for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. While the findings are promising, they also underscore the importance of personalized treatment plans. Always discuss your options thoroughly with your healthcare team to make informed decisions.

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