HIPEC Surgery
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery is a two-step procedure that treats certain cancers in the abdomen. Cancerous tumors are surgically removed, and then heated chemotherapy drugs are applied directly inside the abdomen to eliminate the remaining cancerous cells.
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.
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
Preparation for Procedure
On the night prior to your surgery, you will need to follow specific guidelines to minimize the risk of infections and complications:
Bowel Preparation: The day before the surgery, you are allowed a small breakfast and lunch. Afterward, you should only consume clear liquids for the rest of the day. Starting at noon, a special drink will be provided to clear your bowel of all solid contents.
Infection Prevention: You will receive a course of antibiotics to be taken at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 10 pm. Additionally, you will be instructed to shower with antibacterial soap on the evening before your surgery.
Carbohydrate Boost for Improved Recovery: Your medical team will provide you with a carbohydrate-rich fluid to enhance your strength and facilitate a better recovery process. You are required to drink it once before bedtime and again two hours prior to the surgery.
HIPEC Surgery Procedure
HIPEC surgery involves two stages:
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.
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.
The amount of time the procedure takes may vary depending on how much cancer has spread throughout the abdomen. Advanced stage cancer may take longer to treat with surgery.
Benefits of Procedure
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.
