Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian cancer: a "useless intraoperative fever" or the next hot voice in the surgical management of the "silent killer"?

Abstract

The aim of our opinion letter is to highlight the recent findings in the field of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) use in ovarian cancer management. Two recent studies reveal that ovarian cancer patients treated with HIPEC can extend their survival independently of the timing offered-either at the initial cytoreductive effort or at the time of disease relapse. The research field is flourishing and further data are awaited from randomised control trials. Although, HIPEC is not considered yet as the standard of care in the management of ovarian cancer patients, the initial findings of its use are promising.