Research

A U.S. phase I trial evaluated PIPAC with cisplatin and doxorubicin in 15 women with heavily pretreated recurrent ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. The procedure was feasible and generally well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities or grade 4–5 events. Some patients showed disease control inside the abdomen, but progression-free survival was limited. Researchers say larger trials should refine patient selection and combination treatments.

For people with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma treated with CRS/HIPEC, prognosis may improve as more time passes after surgery. A two-center study found that the estimated chance of surviving another five years rose among patients who had already survived several years. Lower tumor burden and avoiding serious complications were associated with longer survival. The findings offer hope, but they cannot predict an individual patient’s outcome.

A new study is helping researchers build a clearer genetic map of peritoneal mesothelioma. An analysis of tumor samples from 192 patients identified recurring changes in BAP1, NF2, TP53, and SETD2—genes involved in DNA repair and controlling cell growth. Although the findings do not change current treatment, they highlight biological pathways that could guide future targeted therapies and clinical trials for this rare cancer.

A Mayo Clinic study found that pancreatic cysts with multiple concerning features may carry a greater risk of progressing to pancreatic cancer or advanced precancerous changes. The three-year risk increased from approximately 2% with one concerning feature to 18% with three or more. The findings may help specialists identify who needs closer monitoring or treatment while allowing patients at lower risk to avoid unnecessary pancreatic surgery.

A small study suggests that early, personalized nutrition support may help patients with pancreatic cancer tolerate more of their prescribed chemotherapy and recover more quickly after surgery. Patients who worked closely with a dietitian had higher chemotherapy completion, shorter hospital stays, and fewer postoperative infections. Although larger studies are needed, the findings support making nutrition an early and ongoing part of pancreatic cancer care.

A study of 101 patients with peritoneal metastases found that long-term survival was possible after cytoreductive surgery, HIPEC, and postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Five-year overall survival reached 62% for patients with appendix cancer and 34% for those with colorectal cancer. The results highlight the importance of specialized evaluation and removing all visible disease, but the study was small, conducted at one center, and did not include a comparison group.

For people with advanced ovarian cancer, surgery may take place before chemotherapy or after several cycles of treatment. A recent review found that neither approach is best for everyone. The most important goal is safely removing all visible cancer. Treatment timing should be based on the cancer’s location and extent, the patient’s overall health, and the surgical team’s expertise. Evaluation by an experienced gynecologic oncologist can help guide this complex decision.

Recovering from CRS/HIPEC can bring nutrition challenges that patients and caregivers may not expect. In interviews with 20 colorectal cancer survivors and 10 caregivers, researchers found that diarrhea, early fullness, pain, meal preparation, and changing dietary needs can complicate recovery. The study highlights the value of earlier, ongoing, and individualized nutrition support to help patients and caregivers feel better prepared for life after CRS/HIPEC.

A new study followed 111 patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) for one year after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC. Quality of life declined most during the early weeks after surgery, with fatigue, pain, appetite loss, sleep difficulties, and other symptoms affecting recovery. Most measures improved steadily and returned to or approached pre-surgery levels within 6–12 months, offering patients and caregivers valuable insight into what recovery may look like.

A new study found that while CT scans provide a useful estimate of the extent of peritoneal metastases, they often underestimate the amount of cancer found during surgery. Diagnostic laparoscopy may offer a more accurate assessment in selected patients, helping physicians make more informed decisions about cytoreductive surgery.

A new multi-institutional study found that a second cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without HIPEC may be a safe option for carefully selected patients with recurrent colorectal cancer that has spread to the peritoneum. Patients who underwent repeat surgery had similar complication rates and lived longer than those treated with systemic therapy or supportive care alone.

A new study examined how often incisional hernias occur after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC for colorectal and appendiceal cancers. Researchers found that patients with a history of prior open abdominal surgery or a previous hernia had the highest risk, highlighting the importance of individualized surgical planning, recovery, and long-term follow-up.

PIPAC is a newer way to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdomen. Using a minimally invasive procedure, chemotherapy is sprayed as a fine mist to improve drug delivery while reducing side effects. Learn how PIPAC works, who may benefit, how it differs from HIPEC, and why it is being studied in clinical trials.

A new feasibility study found that ultrasound-guided progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) allowed patients with "non-accessible" abdomens to safely receive PIPAC, a treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis. While only five patients were studied, all successfully underwent PIPAC without major complications, suggesting this technique may expand treatment options for selected patients.

If your care team recommends chemotherapy before stomach cancer surgery, you may wonder whether it makes surgery riskier. This study found that patients who received chemotherapy before surgery had similar complication rates, hospital stays, and survival as those who had surgery first—and were even less likely to be readmitted to the hospital after surgery.

HIPEC has moved from controversy toward becoming an important treatment option for carefully selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer. This editorial reviews the growing evidence showing improved survival without added long-term quality-of-life concerns and highlights why treatment at experienced CRS/HIPEC centers is so important.

Being told your cancer is "inoperable" may not be the end of the story. New research shows that many patients who sought a second opinion at a specialized peritoneal cancer center were ultimately able to undergo successful surgery. Learn why expert evaluation can open the door to additional treatment options—and why a second opinion could make all the difference.

Peritoneal metastases are difficult to treat because standard IV chemotherapy often cannot reach tumors inside the abdomen effectively. This review explores NIPS, an approach that combines intravenous chemotherapy with repeated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdominal cavity. Early research—especially in gastric cancer—suggests this strategy may improve disease control, increase eligibility for surgery, and help some patients live longer.

International experts are working to make treatment for advanced ovarian cancer more personalized. This special issue of PSOGI World News highlights new evidence supporting careful patient selection for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, the growing role of minimally invasive surgery, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence may improve treatment planning and outcomes in the future.

New ovarian cancer research presented at ASCO 2026 highlights promising advances in personalized treatment. In an interview with gynecologic oncologist Abdulrahman K. Sinno, MD, experts discuss emerging therapies and the continued importance of HIPEC for select patients with advanced disease, underscoring the value of exploring all available treatment options.

A new study found that many ovarian cancer survivors experience challenges with sexual well-being after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC treatment. Common concerns included vaginal dryness, pain during sex, reduced desire, and body image changes. Despite these issues, only one-third of patients received sexual health support. Women who received support reported higher sexual satisfaction, highlighting the need for more open conversations and survivorship resources addres

The CHARLIE-2 trial is the first randomized study to directly compare HIPEC and PIPAC, two methods of delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdomen for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Researchers will evaluate safety, quality of life, treatment response, and cost to determine which approach may provide the greatest benefit for patients who are not candidates for complete tumor-removal surgery.

Genetic mutations may determine which ovarian cancer patients do better following HIPEC

This study suggests that the biology of a colorectal cancer tumor may influence how well it responds to different HIPEC chemotherapy drugs. Researchers found that the CMS4 subtype appeared particularly sensitive to mitomycin C and irinotecan, raising the possibility that future HIPEC treatments could be tailored to a patient's specific tumor characteristics.

Pancreatic cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum) is often difficult to treat and is associated with poor outcomes. Standard treatment typically involves chemotherapy, but survival rates remain low. Researchers conducted a systematic review to examine whether a treatment approach called cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may improve outcomes for some patients with pancreatic cance

Researchers found that blue LED light reduced the growth and spread of gastric cancer peritoneal metastases in a mouse model, highlighting a potential new treatment approach that warrants further study.

Short term fasting may improve chemotherapy treatment for Ovarian Cancer

Peritoneal metastases occur when cancer spreads to the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum). This can happen with cancers such as colorectal, appendiceal, gastric (stomach), ovarian cancers, and peritoneal mesothelioma. Historically, patients with peritoneal metastases had very limited treatment options and poor survival. Researchers reviewed published studies to better understand how a treatment called cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC affected survival.

Switching Chemotherapy Drugs During Repeat CRS-HIPEC Surgery

A new study published in Nature Communications found that ascites—the fluid buildup common in advanced ovarian cancer—may help cancer cells survive and spread throughout the abdomen. Researchers also identified a potential way to disrupt this process using a decades-old cholesterol-lowering medication, highlighting a promising avenue for future treatment research.

Researchers found that common blood tests known as tumor markers may help predict how patients respond to treatment and whether their cancer is more likely to return after surgery. The findings reinforce an important message for patients and caregivers: follow-up care is a critical part of cancer treatment and survivorship.

Study examines impact of HIPEC on quality of life for ovarian cancer patients

Pancreatic cancer that has spread to the abdominal lining is typically treated with palliative chemotherapy, and outcomes remain poor. A new study examined whether a more aggressive strategy—surgery to remove visible tumors followed by heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdomen (HIPEC)—could improve survival in carefully selected patients. The findings offer insight into a potential new approach for managing advanced disease.

Darling A, Harlev C, O’Cearbhaill R . Use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer: A multidisciplinary review. Surgical Oncology Insight, 2026; 3 What is this study about? This article looks at a treatment called HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy). HIPEC is given during surgery for cancers that have spread inside the abdomen (like ovarian cancer). Doctors circulate warm chemotherapy directly in the belly to kill cancer

Personalized chemotherapy tests a patient’s tumor against different drugs to identify which treatment may work best. For abdominal cancers, this approach could help doctors select more effective therapies, avoid unnecessary side effects, and potentially improve treatments such as HIPEC. Although it is still being studied and is not widely available, personalized chemotherapy represents a promising shift toward more precise, individualized cancer care.

Falla-Zuniga LF, Sardi A, King MC, Lopez-Ramirez F, Kovalik V, Iugai S, Diaz-Montes T, Gushchin V. Small bowel obstruction and ovarian cancer: insights from a propensity-score matched study in patients with and without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. World J Surg Oncol. 2025 Aug 26;23(1):318. doi: 10.1186/s12957-025-03968-y. PMID: 40859247; PMCID: PMC12382003. What was this study about? People with advanced ovarian cancer sometimes devel

Ha, E., Suzuki, Y., Sarkaria, I.S. et al. Outcome Analysis of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemoperfusion (HITHOC) for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei with Pleural Metastasis. Ann Surg Oncol 33, 3084–3090 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-025-18880-8 What is this study about? This study looked at a rare but challenging situation: when a condition called pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)—a cancer that usually starts in the abdomen—spreads to the chest (pleura).

Kovalik V, Sardi A, Falla-Zuniga LF, Wasti A, King MC, Iugai S, Uzhegova K, Nieroda C, Montes TD, Gushchin V. Patient-Reported Financial Toxicity of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Mar 2. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-19059-x. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41772250. What was this study about? This study looked at the financial challenges (often called “financial toxicity”) experienced by people undergoing cytoreductive surgery

Somashekhar, S.P. HIPEC in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: From Controversy to Contextual Standard of Care. Indian J Gynecol Oncolog 24, 52 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40944-026-01122-4 What is this study about? This article looks at a treatment approach called HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) for people with advanced ovarian cancer—a cancer that often spreads within the abdomen. Even with surgery and chemotherapy, many patients still have tiny cancer cells lef

Al Mahrizi, A.D., Mossolem, F., Major, E. et al. Prophylactic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Platinum Agents Following Curative Resection for Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 33, 2972–2984 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-025-18903-4 What is this study about? This research looked at a strategy to help prevent colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer from coming back after surgery. Even when surgery successfully removes all visible

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. This newsletter highlights new research on cancers

Bhatt A, Stepanyan A, Al-Niaimi A et al. Principles of cytoreductive surgery for primary and metastatic peritoneal malignancies—the PSOGI–ESGO–ISSPP Lyon consensus. The Lancet Oncology, 27, e181-e194 Overview This article brings together an international group of experts to establish clear, consistent guidance on how to perform cytoreductive surgery, a complex procedure used to treat cancers that have spread within the abdominal lining (the peritoneum). These cancers can in

Researchers are developing better tools to help predict outcomes for patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare appendix cancer treated with CRS and HIPEC. While these prediction models aren't perfect, they may help patients and doctors have more informed conversations about treatment, risks, and expected outcomes while supporting more personalized care.

Mouawad C, Osseis M, Pocard M. Beyond total PCI thresholds: Limitations of the surgical peritoneal cancer index in decision-making for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The American Journal of Surgery, 2026; 257 Rethinking how doctors decide who can get major cancer surgery This study looked at how doctors decide whether a patient with cancer that has spread inside the abdomen should have a complex surgery called CRS-HIPEC (a combination of

Rakchha Chhetri, Natansh D Modi, Bradley D Menz, Erik Cornelisse, David Postma, Nicole M Kuderer, Gary H Lyman, Sandra M Swain, Lee X Li, Ahmad Y Abuhelwa, Ross A McKinnon, Sina Vatandoust, Ganessan Kichenadasse, Andrew Rowland, Michael J Sorich, Ashley M Hopkins, Sex-based prognosis in industry-sponsored advanced solid tumour trials: an individual participant data meta-analysis of survival and adverse events, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2026;, djag046,...

Sardi A, Uzhegova K, Iugai S, et al. Outcomes of cytoreductive surgery in unfavorable appendix cancer histologies: meaningful survival with complete cytoreduction despite high peritoneal cancer index. Presented at: Advanced Cancer Therapies; February 2026; Fort Lauderdale, FL. New Research Offers Hope for Patients with Advanced Appendix Cancer For patients diagnosed with rare and aggressive appendix cancers, treatment decisions can often feel limited—especially when the disea

Associations between the primary colorectal tumor budding score and the histological growth pattern of peritoneal metastases: A pilot study . Bouatrous, Mendhi et al. Surgical Oncology Insight, Volume 3, Issue 1, 100236 . About This Research Gastric (stomach) cancer that spreads to the lining of the abdomen—called peritoneal carcinomatosis—is one of the most difficult forms of the disease to treat. Traditional chemotherapy given through the bloodstream often struggles to re

Amblard I, Mercier F, Bartlett DL, Ahrendt SA, Lee KW, Zeh HJ, Levine EA, Baratti D, Deraco M, Piso P, Morris DL, Rau B, Tentes AAK, Tuech JJ, Quenet F, Akaishi E, Pocard M, Yonemura Y, Lorimier G, Delroeux D, Villeneuve L, Glehen O, Passot G; PSOGI and BIG RENAPE working groups. Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC improve survival compared to palliative chemotherapy for biliary carcinoma with peritoneal metastasis: A multi-institutional cohort from PSOGI and BIG RENAPE groups. E

In February, the Surgical Oncology team from Mercy Medical Center shared their research and clinical insights at the 20th Anniversary Advanced Cancer Therapies (ACT) Meeting — a landmark gathering for the peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM) community. Advancing Surgical Quality in CRS/HIPEC Care Dr. Vadim Gushchin, Alliance Board member, presented “The Power of Consistency in Achieving Surgical Quality: 30 Years, 2 Surgeons, 1 Nonacademic PSM Program.” This review highlighted

Layna Mager et al. Biotin Supplements for Hair and Nail Regrowth: A Caution for Oncologists. JCO Oncol Pract 0, OP-25-00693. DOI:10.1200/OP-25-00693 Why This Study Matters Hair thinning and nail changes are common side effects of cancer treatment. Many patients turn to over-the-counter supplements marketed to improve hair, skin, and nail health — especially biotin (vitamin B7). This review highlights an important concern: while biotin is widely viewed as harmless, it may in