Mitomycin as a Hyperthermic Peritoneal Perfusion in Treating Patients With Malignant Ascites

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic hyperthermic perfusion of mitomycin C in preventing relapse at 4 weeks post-treatment in patients with malignant ascites. Secondary * Determine any improvement in the quality of life of patients treated with this procedure. OUTLINE: This is a nonrandomized study. Patients undergo laparoscopic surgery to remove ascitic fluid and any intraabdominal adhesions and to place 2 inflow and 2 outflow catheters. Mitomycin C is infused into the abdominal cavity by hyperthermic perfusion over 60 minutes. Quality of life is assessed at study entry and at 4 weeks. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed periodically for 2 years.