What Is Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy?
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is the process of administering tumor-fighting drugs through the abdomen. Doctors commonly prescribe intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer, a disease which is diagnosed in approximately 21,000 American women per year, according to the American Cancer Society.
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Function
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Intraperitoneal chemotherapy uses a port or tube that is surgically implanted into the abdomen. Doctors administer medication through this port, which then prevents cancer cells on the ovaries from dividing and reproducing, leading to their eventual death.
Types
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There are two main drugs used for intraperitoneal chemotherapy, cisplatin and paclitaxel, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
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Time Frame
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Each infusion of intraperitoneal chemotherapy through the port lasts between two and three hours, reports the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Patients normally receive repeated treatments of intraperitoneal chemotherapy for approximately five to six months.
Benefits
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Because it is delivered into the abdomen, intraperitoneal chemotherapy exposes the cancerous cells in the ovaries to 10 to 20 times more medication than what the same drugs provide when given through the arm or chest, reports the National Cancer Institute. This is because the drugs used for ovarian cancer treatment stay in active state for a longer period of time with intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Risks
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Side effects and risks associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy include allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or bloating, shortness of breath, and decreased quantities of red or white blood cells or platelets. It is also possible for the port to malfunction, leak or become infected.
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