Whole-body hyperthermia combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the treatment of stage IV advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND

Currently known as a metastatic disease, stage IV gastric cancer cannot be cured by surgery, but treatments are recommended to relieve symptoms such as pain and to prolong survival.

METHODS

With better access to metastases and certain large or inoperable tumours, we applied two treatment sessions of combined therapy of whole-body hyperthermia and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemo-perfusion in the treatment group, while patients in the control group were treated with oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy or Xeloda. We used the RECIST criteria for outcome evaluation.

RESULTS

With the combined treatment, we found the complete and partial remission rate of patients to be 61.5%, and the rate of stable disease was 19.2%. Symptoms such as pain and a large volume of ascites were alleviated, and the quality of life was correspondingly improved. In addition, the combined treatment had a significant therapeutic benefit against the primary tumour and the metastases to the lymph nodes and liver. Survival time was also significantly prolonged (the 1-year survival rate was 38.5% compared to the control group rate of 19%).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that whole-body hyperthermia combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with advanced gastric malignancies.