Intraperitoneal radioactive chromic phosphate P 32 in the treatment of ovarian cancer

The use of intraperitoneal radioisotopes in the management of women with ovarian cancer is controversial. We analyzed the experience with intraperitoneal chromic phosphate P 32 at our institution, from October 1979 to February 1983, in 22 patients with various stages and grades of ovarian malignancy. Survival in stage I is 87.5% and in stage II, 50%. Survival is 88.9% among patients with grade 1 tumors and 33.3% for those with grade 3 lesions. Morbidity related to chromic phosphate P 32 was minimal; small bowel obstruction occurred in only one patient who had also received external pelvic irradiation. Our results suggest that chromic phosphate P 32 is a safe, well tolerated, inexpensive, and effective adjuvant to surgery in the management of selected patients with ovarian malignancy.