Palliative Care During Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Patients With Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

- Describe symptoms/concerns before, during, and after intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy
and the impact of these symptoms/concerns on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with
ovarian cancer undergoing IP chemotherapy. (Part I)

- Analyze care received and resource utilization of these patients, including length of
hospitalization, ICU admission rates, clinic visits, phone calls, urgent care visits,
and other heath system encounters. (Part I)

- Develop palliative care assessment measures and interventions that apply to IP
chemotherapy. (Part II)

- Implement a palliative care intervention in a pilot of 6 patients. (Part II)

- Describe the impact of implementing palliative care interventions on resource
utilization, improved QOL and symptoms, and number of chemotherapy courses completed.
(Part II)

OUTLINE: This is a two-part study.

- Part I (retrospective portion): Patients who have undergone intraperitoneal (IP)
chemotherapy within the past 6-12 months undergo a retrospective interview and chart
audit to identify their needs and experiences.

- Part I (prospective portion): Patients are followed monthly for up to 6 months during
IP chemotherapy to provide information about usual care and to identify needs and
palliative care concerns. Patients also complete a quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaire
(COH QOL Ovarian tool) and undergo a prospective interview.

- Part II (intervention): Patients undergo comprehensive palliative care assessment, a
patient teaching session prior to the initiation of IP chemotherapy, and a palliative
care intervention during IP chemotherapy. Patients also complete a QOL questionnaire
and undergo an interview. Patients are followed monthly for up to 6 months during IP
chemotherapy.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

- Under the care of the Medical Oncology Department at the City of Hope National
Medical Center

- Undergoing intraperitoneal chemotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Life expectancy > 6 months

- Speaks English or Spanish

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics