Ovarian Cancer Treatment — Are We Getting Warmer?

Regional chemotherapy theoretically results in a decreased rate of systemic toxic effects and a high pharmacologic advantage in tumors that are confined to a single organ or body cavity.1 However, only in the case of ovarian cancer has such chemotherapy (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) been accepted as part of the standard of care.2 Hyperthermia, at temperatures of up to 42.0°C (107.6°F), has also been considered to be a potential strategy for enhancing the chemotherapeutic effect but has not been widely accepted as part of routine cancer care. Previous uncontrolled trials in which hyperthermia was used in combination with intraperitoneal chemotherapy showed improved . . .