What is HIPEC surgery?
HIPEC surgery involves delivering high doses of chemotherapy into the abdomen to treat cancer that has spread beyond the organ from which it originated. Abdominal cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) can be difficult to treat through traditional chemotherapy. HIPEC surgery provides a more effective treatment option.
What types of cancer does HIPEC surgery treat?
HIPEC surgery can treat diseases, fluid build-up and cancers in the abdomen. The most common cancers treated with HIPEC include:
Adrenal cancer
Appendix cancer
Colon and rectal cancer
Gastric (stomach) cancer
Liver cancer
Mesothelioma
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Peritoneal cancer
How is HIPEC surgery performed?
HIPEC surgery involves two stages:
Cytoreductive Surgery
Cytoreductive surgery is the first stage of HIPEC surgery. While you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen to view all visible cancerous tumors and diseased tissue.
HIPEC Procedure
The second stage is the HIPEC procedure. After your surgeon removes all visible tumors and diseased tissue from the abdomen, he or she will insert a catheter containing the chemotherapy drugs, which are pumped into your abdominal cavity. The catheters are connected to a perfusion machine, which heats the chemotherapy drugs and flows them through your abdomen for one to two hours. Your surgeon will drain the remaining chemotherapy from the abdomen and rinse the abdomen with a salt solution before the incision is closed.
What are the benefits of HIPEC surgery?
HIPEC surgery inserts high doses of chemotherapy directly into the abdomen, where traditional methods of chemotherapy cannot effectively reach.
This innovative procedure can improve long-term outcomes and provide more treatment options for patients who have been diagnosed with inoperable or advanced stage cancer.
