Intraoperative Chemohyperthermia in the Management of Digestive Cancers

Abstract

Intraoperative chemohyperthermia is a new method in the treatment of peritoneal seedings from digestive cancers, which combines surgery, intraperitoneal chemotherapy (mitomycin C and/or cisplatyl) and peritoneal hyperthermia. After a brief reminder on the general principles concerning high temperature action, a review of literature is made: 5 teams have performed this technique. We differentiate the indications, design features and results of each team. The results show a mean survival after 2 years of 35% (in peritoneal carcinomatosis) up to 78% (in gastric serosal invasion, peritoneal seeding free). The best result of the method is the drying up of cancerous ascites, allowing a more comfortable survival.