Published online Aug 10, 2015. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v4.i3.64
Peer-review started: February 13, 2015
First decision: March 6, 2015
Revised: March 20, 2015
Accepted: June 18, 2015
Article in press: June 19, 2015
Published online: August 10, 2015
Processing time: 187 Days and 20 Hours
Data regarding the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) are not definitive. Several randomized trials and meta-analyses demonstrate that this chemotherapy regimen decreases the morbidity and mortality rates and increases complete cytoreduction rates. If combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), NACT could potentially further improve upon these already promising results. Moreover the use of NACT could help in evaluating the chemo-sensitivity of the cancer, thus preventing unnecessary HIPEC procedures in chemo-resistant patients. NACT should definitely be considered as a preferred regimen in the management of advanced ovarian cancer, especially in association with cytoreductive surgery + HIPEC procedure in the context of a multidisciplinary team management in an experienced cancer centre.
Core tip: Data about the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer are not sufficient to support its extensive application. However encouraging results came from the existing studies. Future well designed studies are needed to clarify some aspects of this chemotherapy regimen and its association with the other form of pharmacological and surgical therapy.