Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer remains an uncommon cancer compared to other female malignancies, such as breast, lung, and colon cancer. However, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among all gynecologic malignancies and the second most prevalent of the reproductive cancers (Siegel, Naishadham, & Jemal, 2012). According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network ([NCCN], 2012b), the standard of care for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) consists of an IV platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy for 6-8 cycles, or combination IV and intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy for patients with stage II or III cancer who have had optimally debulked (less than 1 cm residual) surgery (see Figure 1).