HIPEC Surgery
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery is an advanced and aggressive treatment for certain cancers that have spread to the abdominal cavity, such as peritoneal carcinomatosis. This procedure combines cytoreductive surgery (CRS) to remove visible tumors and the direct application of heated chemotherapy to eradicate remaining cancer cells.
Procedure:
Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS):
- The surgeon performs extensive surgery to remove visible tumors from the abdominal cavity. This may involve resection of affected organs and tissues, such as parts of the intestines, liver, or spleen.
Heated Chemotherapy (HIPEC):
- After tumor removal, a heated chemotherapy solution is circulated within the abdominal cavity.
- The solution is typically heated to about 41-43°C (105.8-109.4°F) to enhance the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.
- The chemotherapy is infused for 60-90 minutes to directly target microscopic cancer cells that may remain.
Benefits:
- Direct Drug Delivery: Chemotherapy is delivered directly to the site of cancer, enhancing its effectiveness.
- Heat Enhancement: The heat improves the penetration of chemotherapy into tissues and kills cancer cells more effectively.
- Reduced Systemic Toxicity: HIPEC limits the exposure of the rest of the body to chemotherapy, reducing systemic side effects.
Applications:
- Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Cancers that spread to the peritoneum, such as colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and appendiceal cancer.
- Mesothelioma: Peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the abdominal lining.
Recovery:
- Hospital Stay: Patients typically stay in the hospital for 7-14 days post-surgery.
- Initial Recovery: Involves close monitoring in the ICU and gradual return to normal activities.
- Follow-Up: Regular follow-ups are essential to monitor for recurrence and manage any complications.
Risks and Considerations:
- Surgical Complexity: CRS is a major surgery with risks including bleeding, infection, and organ damage.
- Side Effects: Chemotherapy can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Recovery Time: Extended recovery period due to the extensive nature of the surgery and chemotherapy.
