intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IP)

LindaHope

Hello to all you beautiful ladies. As a caregiver for my 53 yr old mother, I was wondering if any of you have received intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IP)? My mom was diagnosed with UPSC stage IVb (fluid in lungs) in late July, had a radical hysterectomy Aug 3, followed with IV chemo on cycle 1 then they decided to just change it to IP chemo for cycle 2? Both chemo options were very hard but the IP has completely wiped her out. Doctor said studies claim IP chemo is more effective for UPSC & certain ovarian cancers. However, the side effects are much more extreme (now on 5th day ok debilitating fatigue, nausea)  so we have an appointment next week to talk about going back to IV through the arm or maybe IP with a lower dosage. Not sure yet! I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has had IP chemo. Hugs

wholfmeister

It is rough

All the research suggests that combining IV and IP therapy gives the best chance for a long remission.  So, if possible, try to go with it. 

IP is rough:  It is a lot of fluid into the abdomin and can be physically uncomfortable for a day or so.  The drugs are strong (both IV and IP) with lots of side effects.  But it is doable.  Your infusion specialists should be able to give you lots of tips to reduce the side effects.  THere are premeds that will control a lot of the nausea. 

It is important to continue to take a lot of fluids (by mouth) in the days following the infusion.  Hydrate! Hydrate!  Hydrate!  Expect to feel tired; allow her to rest.  But don't allow her to just stay in bed.  Get a little exercise and motion, even just walking around the house every few hours.  Most of us find that daily Miralax is very helpful in keeping things regular. 

I know it is rough, but honestly, after 3 1/2 years of chemo, I would say the IV/IP was the roughest.  And I survived it.  Please continue to encourage your mom.  She is very young.  She can do this!

LindaHope

wholfmeister said:

It is rough

All the research suggests that combining IV and IP therapy gives the best chance for a long remission.  So, if possible, try to go with it. 

IP is rough:  It is a lot of fluid into the abdomin and can be physically uncomfortable for a day or so.  The drugs are strong (both IV and IP) with lots of side effects.  But it is doable.  Your infusion specialists should be able to give you lots of tips to reduce the side effects.  THere are premeds that will control a lot of the nausea. 

It is important to continue to take a lot of fluids (by mouth) in the days following the infusion.  Hydrate! Hydrate!  Hydrate!  Expect to feel tired; allow her to rest.  But don't allow her to just stay in bed.  Get a little exercise and motion, even just walking around the house every few hours.  Most of us find that daily Miralax is very helpful in keeping things regular. 

I know it is rough, but honestly, after 3 1/2 years of chemo, I would say the IV/IP was the roughest.  And I survived it.  Please continue to encourage your mom.  She is very young.  She can do this!

Hi Wolfmeister,
Thank you so

Hi Wolfmeister,

Thank you so much for your reaponse! We had an appointment with the doctor yesterday and he said that he was going to put my mom on iv chemo for her 3rd cycle to allow her to recover but then back to IP on the 4th cycle with a lower dosage. That sounds a litter easier to hear due to the fact that in her last ip experience she couldnt barely keep her eyes open or get out of bed for 6 days. 

Did you say you received ip chemo for 3 & 1/2 years? 

hugs 

myljon3@yahoo.com

wholfmeister said:

It is rough

All the research suggests that combining IV and IP therapy gives the best chance for a long remission.  So, if possible, try to go with it. 

IP is rough:  It is a lot of fluid into the abdomin and can be physically uncomfortable for a day or so.  The drugs are strong (both IV and IP) with lots of side effects.  But it is doable.  Your infusion specialists should be able to give you lots of tips to reduce the side effects.  THere are premeds that will control a lot of the nausea. 

It is important to continue to take a lot of fluids (by mouth) in the days following the infusion.  Hydrate! Hydrate!  Hydrate!  Expect to feel tired; allow her to rest.  But don't allow her to just stay in bed.  Get a little exercise and motion, even just walking around the house every few hours.  Most of us find that daily Miralax is very helpful in keeping things regular. 

I know it is rough, but honestly, after 3 1/2 years of chemo, I would say the IV/IP was the roughest.  And I survived it.  Please continue to encourage your mom.  She is very young.  She can do this!

IP therapy

Hello,  I am 65 yrs old and completed my latest round of IV chemo last March.  I was diagnosed with Highgrade carcinoma of the pertieneam with involvement of the omentum in the summer of 2014.  Unable to do surgery at first, I had 9 weeks of carboplatin and taxol, then back to Houston for extensive surgery. Then, chemo for 9 more weeks.  I was never told anything about IP.  I know, that even though my CA125 has dropped from 4,000 to 8.0, I will eventually be back on chemo.  Can you tell me, with that marker, how long it usually takes for it to return?  I realize everyone is different but just curious how quickly some have had to repeat chemo.  Also, is the IP therapy only given in the beginning or is it a possible option for a reoccurance?  Thankfully, I am feeling great right now and my husband hates for me to even consider a reoccurrance but, I am realistic.  Can you also tell me if you had strickly ovarian cancer or pertineal.  I know they are treated much the same way.  Thanks for any reply.

myl.

Glad to be done

Hi.  I was diagnosed back in

Hi.  I was diagnosed back in January 2012 with stage 3c.  After the complete hysterectomy I did 6 rounds of Iv/IP cisplatian/taxol.  The cisplatian was rough.  I don't really know if IP kicks your butt more than just IV.  I think chemo in general takes you down.  IP is rougher on the kidneys.  I completed my 6 rounds in June of 2012 and was 3 years cancer free this past June.  I hear alot about the pros and cons of IP chemo and I think every chemo patient is different.  It is not offered to everyone and not all doctors believe it is any better or even use it.    I for one am very glad that my doctor thought I was a good candidate of the IP chemo.  I truly believe that is the reason I am still cancer free today.  It is wishful thinking that I will never have to endure chemo again.  I know deep down I probably will but if doing the IP chemo got me this far and gets me farther I will take it.... I don't know if her side effects are from the IP or if it the chemo she is on..  I seemed to be having the same side effects others that were not doing ip chemo but were on the same ones I was.   I cant tell you to have her stick it out with the IP chemo.  She has to do what she feels is best for her.   What I can say is it worked for me in my situation and I am glad I did it... 

LorettaMarshall

myljon3@yahoo.com said:

IP therapy

Hello,  I am 65 yrs old and completed my latest round of IV chemo last March.  I was diagnosed with Highgrade carcinoma of the pertieneam with involvement of the omentum in the summer of 2014.  Unable to do surgery at first, I had 9 weeks of carboplatin and taxol, then back to Houston for extensive surgery. Then, chemo for 9 more weeks.  I was never told anything about IP.  I know, that even though my CA125 has dropped from 4,000 to 8.0, I will eventually be back on chemo.  Can you tell me, with that marker, how long it usually takes for it to return?  I realize everyone is different but just curious how quickly some have had to repeat chemo.  Also, is the IP therapy only given in the beginning or is it a possible option for a reoccurance?  Thankfully, I am feeling great right now and my husband hates for me to even consider a reoccurrance but, I am realistic.  Can you also tell me if you had strickly ovarian cancer or pertineal.  I know they are treated much the same way.  Thanks for any reply.

myl.

"myl - more info on IP Chemo on a separate entry!

  Saturday, October 10, 2015

To “myl” specifically,

          Since you asked about the Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (IP) , it occurs to me that others here might benefit by some of the reference material I have compiled relative to both this procedure and the HIPEC treatments.   I have put them on a separate topic but addressed to you.

          I am a 76-year old, Stage IV, Ovarian Cancer patient, originally diagnosed with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in November of 2012.    After chemo treatments of Carboplatin and Taxol, I had Cytoreductive Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in July of 2013.  UPMC has been utilizing the IP and HIPEC (Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy)  procedure since 1995.

          My surgeon, Dr. David Bartlett, discussed this with me, and going into surgery, I was under the impression that I, too, would be receiving the HIPEC treatment.  However, when I came out of surgery, I discovered that Dr. Bartlett, after assessing my condition, did not choose to administer the additional HIPEC treatment.  I trust his judgment.  As always, each one is different as to how their cancer progresses.  So one may have the Cytoreductive (debulking) (CRS)surgery, but not have the HIPEC treatments  while another patient may have both.  Of course, that is, if the hospital specializes in this treatment.  So since treatments were never mentioned in your case, perhaps your physician was not familiar with them or the hospital was not one of the places where they were offered. 

          So since I think there may be others on this site that might like to read more about the HIPEC and IP treatments, I will enter that info on a separate entry as well as more comments for you in particular.

Loretta