HIPEC
HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a cancer treatment that delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery. It is typically used for treating cancers that have spread to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), such as certain gastrointestinal, ovarian, and colorectal cancers.
The procedure involves two main steps:
Cytoreductive Surgery: The surgeon first removes visible tumors from the abdominal cavity to reduce the amount of cancer present. This step is critical because the success of HIPEC depends on as much tumor being removed as possible.
- Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: After surgery, heated chemotherapy drugs are infused directly into the abdominal cavity. The solution is heated to around 42-43°C (108-109°F), which is believed to make the chemotherapy more effective at killing cancer cells. The heated chemotherapy is circulated within the abdomen for about 60 to 90 minutes, allowing the drugs to target any remaining microscopic cancer cells.
HIPEC has shown to improve survival rates in certain cancers, especially those that have limited treatment options. It can be effective for cancers that are confined to the abdominal lining, as it allows for high concentrations of chemotherapy to be delivered directly to the affected area, while minimizing the damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
The procedure is complex and carries risks, such as infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding organs. It is typically offered to patients who are considered candidates for surgery and whose cancers are localized within the abdominal cavity.
