Quality of life outcomes from the randomized trial of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy following cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer (KOV-HIPEC-01)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) related to hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) following primary or interval cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2016, a total of 184 patients were randomly assigned to receive cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (n=92) or without HIPEC (n=92). Quality of life (QOL) assessment was evaluated at baseline (before surgery); on postoperative day 7; after the 3rd and 6th cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy; and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomization. Patient-reported QOL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30), ovarian cancer questionnaire modules (QLQ-OV28), and the MD Anderson Symptoms Inventory (MDASI). RESULTS: Of the 184 patients enrolled, 165 (83/92 in the HIPEC group and 82/92 in the control group) participated in the baseline QOL assessment. There were no statistically significant differences in functional scales and symptom scales in QLQ-C30; symptom scales, including gastrointestinal symptoms QLQ-OV28; and severity and impact score in MDASI between the 2 treatment groups until 12 months after randomization. CONCLUSION: HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery showed no statistically significant difference in HRQOL outcomes. Thus, implementation of HIPEC during either primary or interval cytoreductive surgery does not impair HRQOL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01091636