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Copyright ©2010 Baishideng.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jan 15, 2010; 2(1): 19-30
Published online Jan 15, 2010. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v2.i1.19
Table 1 Molecular weight and area under the curve ratios of intraperitoneal exposure to systemic exposure of chemotherapeutic agents used to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis
DrugMolecular weight (Daltons)Area under the curve ratio
5-fluorouracil130.08250
Carboplatin371.2510
Cisplatin300.17.8
Docetaxel861.9552
Doxorubicin579.99230
Etoposide588.5865
Floxuridine246.275
Gemcitabine299.5500
Irinotecan677.19N/A
Melphalan305.293
Mitomycin C334.323.5
Mitoxantrone517.41115-255
Oxaliplatin397.316
Paclitaxel853.91000
Pemetrexed597.4940.8
Table 2 Variables influencing the response of peritoneal carcinomatosis to perioperative chemotherapy
TemperatureIncrease in temperature above 37°C augments the cytotoxicity of cancer chemotherapy
Dose of intraperitoneal chemotherapyAs the dose increases the penetration of chemotherapy into cancerous tissue increases because of an increasing diffusion gradient
Distribution of chemotherapy solution and heat (open vs closed technique)The open technique allows more uniform distribution of heat and chemotherapy solution because of the manual mixing of the abdominal and pelvic contents with the warm fluid
Timing of chemotherapy in relation to the timing of the surgical interventionUsing the chemotherapy with surgery allows complete distribution immediately after the total lysis of abdominal adhesions. This allows complete treatment of all peritoneal surfaces
Type of carrier solutionHigh molecular weight carrier solutions remain within the peritoneal cavity for a longer time period. The artificial ascites maintains the cancer chemotherapy in a large volume of fluid for an extended time period
PressurePressure will increase the penetration of fluid and chemotherapy solution into normal and cancerous tissue
Volume of carrier solutionIncreasing the volume of carrier solution without increasing the amount of chemotherapy will decrease the effectiveness of the treatment by lowering the diffusion gradient between the peritoneal space and the surrounding normal and cancerous tissue
Duration of instillationIncreasing the time period over which cancer chemotherapy is present within the peritoneal cavity will increase the cytotoxic effect
Vasoactive agentsVasoactive agents will cause constriction of normal capillaries, but will not cause constriction of vessels within cancerous tissue. This will cause the chemotherapy to remain longer in the peritoneal space
Macromolecular vehiclesCoating of cancer chemotherapy by macromolecules may preferentially direct their entrance into cancerous tissue as compared to normal tissue
Drug sensitivity of the tumorIncreased responses are expected if the cancer is sensitive to the chemotherapy
Size of residual tumor nodulesThe penetration of cancer chemotherapy is limited to approximately 1 mm. Therefore, large nodules greater than 1 or 2 mm in diameter will not be penetrated by intraperitoneal chemotherapy and should not be expected to be eliminated