Successful palliation of malignant ascites from peritoneal mesothelioma by laparoscopic intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2008 Aug;18(4):426-8. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0b013e318173a61e.

Abstract

A variety of options have been proposed to treat malignant ascites but most of them have failed to reach a significant impact in terms of palliation. Laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (LHIPEC) could represent a good therapeutic tool for patients in whom medical therapies have failed and peritoneovenous shunting is contraindicated. Here we present a case of a 49-year-old woman with malignant ascites secondary to peritoneal spreading of a right pleural mesothelioma. After failure of medical therapy, the patient underwent LHIPEC with Cisplatin 25 mg/m/L and Doxorubicin 7 mg/m/L. A dramatic reduction of ascites was documented in the postoperative period and the patient experienced complete abdominal symptom relief. Ascites did not recur during a follow-up period of 6 months. LHIPEC could be a good therapeutic option to palliate malignant ascites from mesothelioma in cases not eligible for a radical treatment. Further studies are needed to standardize dosage and perfusion parameters.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Mesothelioma / pathology*
  • Mesothelioma / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Palliative Care*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents