Research

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

What is this interview about? This interview with Dr. Kiran Turaga explains a new approach to treating abdominal cancers called personalized chemotherapy. Instead of giving every patient the same treatment, doctors are working to match chemotherapy to each person’s specific tumor—so it works better and causes fewer side effects. Dr. Kiran Turaga Why is this important? Abdominal cancers (like colorectal, appendix, or ovarian cancers that spread in the abdomen) can be difficult

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

Xu N, Hasjim B, Rouhi A ... Validation of nomograms predicting survival in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal dissemination of mucinous appendiceal cancer. Surgical Oncology Insight, 2026; 3 What is this study about? Some rare tumors that start in the appendix can spread inside the abdomen and produce a jelly-like substance. This condition is called pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). The main treatment for PMP is a major surgery called cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combin

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

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 latest issue of PSOGI World News , the quarterl

Ostowari A, Chen KT, Hasjim BJ, Montero S, Sedighim S, Tajik F, Roman M, Dayyani F, Daly S, Smith BR, Nguyen NT, Eng OS, O'Leary MP, Senthil M. Underutilization of Staging Laparoscopy Prior to Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Gastric Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Feb;33(2):1343-1349. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-18547-4. Epub 2025 Oct 17. PMID: 41107646; PMCID: PMC12765731. When stomach (gastric) cancer or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer is diagnosed, doctors often recommend

Brianna M. Krusen, Phyllis A. Gimotty, Greg Donahue, Jacob E. Till, Melinda Yin, Erin E. Carlson, William R. Bamlet, Erica L. Carpenter, Shounak Majumder, Ann L. Oberg, Kenneth S. Zaret; Improving a Plasma Biomarker Panel for Early Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with Aminopeptidase N (ANPEP) and Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor (PIGR). Clin Cancer Res 15 February 2026; 32 (4): 756–769. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-3297 Why This Matters Pancreatic

Framarini M, D'Acapito F, Lippolis PV, Di Giorgio A, Di Pietrantonio D, Sommariva A, Sammartino P. Expanding the role of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A multicenter study on uncommon peritoneal malignancies. World J Clin Oncol 2025; 16(12): 112443 [PMID: 41480175 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i12.11244 3] Peritoneal metastasis is when cancer cells spread from the stomach or other organs to the lining of the abdominal cavity. This type of sprea

Matsumiya, M., Sonoda, H., Yamashita, H. et al. Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel-Induced Eosinophil Recruitment as a Potential Mediator of Tumor Response in Peritoneal Metastases from Gastric Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-025-19075-x What was studied? Researchers looked at how i ntraperitoneal chemotherapy (medicine delivered directly into the abdominal cavity) affects the immune environment in people with gastric (stomach) cancer that has spread t

Predictors of Peritoneal Surface Recurrence and Quantitative Association with Time to Relapse After Complete CRS/HIPEC for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis. (2026). Cancers. 18. 299. DOI: 10.3390/cancers18020299 . Understanding Recurrence After CRS/HIPEC for Colorectal Cancer Spread to the Abdomen When colorectal cancer spreads to the lining of the abdomen (called peritoneal metastasis ), one treatment option for carefully selected patients is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) com

Pham ENB, Horeweg N, van der Marel J, Nooij LS. Survival benefit of cytoreductive surgery in patients with primary stage IV endometrial cancer: a systematic review & meta-analysis . BJC Rep. 2024 Oct 8;2(1):76. doi: 10.1038/s44276-024-00084-4 . PMID: 39516418; PMCID: PMC11523991. What Did the Study Look At? This research combined results from multiple published studies to find out whether cytoreductive surgery (CRS) — surgery that removes as much visible cancer as possible —

Phase II trial of systemic therapy plus intraperitoneal (IP) paclitaxel (PTX) in gastric/GEJ cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis (GPC): STOPGAP trial.

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. Understanding the Study: Bowel Blockages in Advanced Ovarian Cancer This stu

This research study explored outcomes for people with colorectal cancer that had spread to two places at the same time: the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum), and the liver.

Safety and Efficacy of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosolized Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in Patients with Ovarian Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases: A Multicenter US Phase I Trial. Authors : Nakamura, B., Senguttuvan, R., Ruel, N.H. et al. Ann Surg Oncol 33 , 415–425 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-025-18432-0 A New Way to Treat Cancer Spread in the Abdome n This study looked at a treatment called Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosol Chemother

Predictors of Successful Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Interval Cytoreductive Surgery in Management of Ovarian Cancer. ** Authors : Claudia Marchetti, MD, PhD, Gwenael Ferron, MD, et al. JCO Oncology Practice, Nov 24, 2025. DOI: 10.1200/OP-25-00469 Understanding Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery What the Study Was About This study focused on individuals with ovarian cancer who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). This means they undergo chemotherapy before surgery. T

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 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 p

Controlling perfusion temperature relates to better outcomes after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Lopez-Ramirez, Felipe et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, Volume 52, Issue 1, 110536 What is HIPEC? HIPEC ( Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy ) is a treatment where, after a surgeon removes as much visible tumor as possible (cytoreductive surgery), heated chemotherapy is circulated directly inside the abdominal cavity. Th

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a major change that affects hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women in menopause. After reviewing many years of research, they are removing certain “black-box” warnings from HRT products. These warnings were once very prominent and suggested high risk in broad terms. What are they changing? The FDA will update labels for HRT products to remove or reduce warnings about heart disease, breast cancer, and dementia, when use

At the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) meeting in Barcelona this October, Alliance Board Member Dr. Vadim Gushchin presented a new perspective on how surgeons should be trained to care for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM)—a group of rare cancers that spread inside the abdominal cavity, titled " What is special about teaching and learning PSM surgery? ". PSMs are cancers that spread inside the abdominal cavity , forming many small or

Vladislav Kovalik, MD, MSPH; Armando Sardi, MD, FACS; Mary Caitlin King, BS; Sergei Iugai, MD; Luis Felipe Falla-Zuniga, MD; Carol Nieroda, MD; and Vadim Gushchin, MD, FACS The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD Presentation Patterns and Treatment Outcomes in Appendix Cancer Patients Traveling to a High-Volume Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Center. Am Surg. 2025 Nov;91(11):1889-1897. doi: 10.1177/00031348251337155. Epub 2025 May 5. PMID: 4032288