Chapter 23: Administration of systemic anticancer therapies
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Complications
General complications of intraperitoneal chemotherapy include respiratory distress, abdominal pain and distension, discomfort and diarrhoea (all of which result in increased abdominal pressure) (Wilkes [268]). Other problems include mechanical difficulties with the catheter (inflow and outflow obstructions), electrolyte imbalance and peritonitis caused by chemical irritation of the peritoneal space or by infection or both. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is usually tolerated well by patients and provides a safe and effective treatment in the management of peritoneal disease (Weinstein and Hagle [265]).
