| Abstract: |
The intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapeutic agents as therapy for tumors of the gastrointestinal tract remains an interesting theoretical approach toward improving the efficacy of therapy of malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. There is currently no data to support its use in routine clinical practice. Future efforts to define a role for this innovative therpeutic approach should focus on its use during adjuvant therapy of tumors with a high risk of recurrence in the peritoneal cavity or liver, or as therapy for patients with positive cytology results or tiny tumor nodules. In addition, techniques to deliver intraperitoneal therapy with minimal risk and maximal efficiency remain to be established. Finally, both the short and long term consequences of such therapy (pain, ileus, adhesion formation and obstruction of the intestine) for each regimen investigated need to be defined and measures designed to decrease the incidence and severity of these complications should be optimized before an intraperitoneal program becomes standard clinical practice. |
