Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy applies heated chemotherapy drugs directly to the affected areas of the abdomen to eliminate any hard-to-find tumor cells. It is usually part of a two-step procedure that begins with open surgery to remove or “debulk” any visible tumors before treating the area with the heated chemotherapy. HIPEC allows for a higher dose of chemotherapy to be applied directly into the abdomen at a high temperature, which augments its effectiveness in killing cancer cells compared to traditional intravenous chemotherapy.

Advanced abdominal cancers that have spread beyond the organ in which it originated, such as to the lining of the abdominal cavity, may become more difficult to treat with traditional chemotherapy. HIPEC provides an alternative for these late-stage and potentially inoperable cancers. “HIPEC is a true game-changer, as it helps a patient population with advanced tumors who otherwise would have no curative treatment options,” Dr. Efishat says.

Some of the common cancers treated with HIPEC:

• Appendix cancer
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Gastric (stomach) cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Ovarian cancer
• Peritoneal cancer

HIPEC involves open surgery, and the operating time depends on the extent of the cancer’s spread. On average, a patient will stay in the hospital for recovery and observation for about two weeks and should expect a two- to three-month recovery at home. As with other chemotherapy treatments, side effects include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and low blood cells count, though all of these can be managed and treated with the help of your doctor and our Cancer Institute’s extensive team of specialists.

The success of the HIPEC procedure has led to a 5-year survival rate as high as 90% for certain tumors of the appendix.

To learn more about HIPEC and to see if you are a candidate for the surgery, visit the Our Lady of the Lake Surgeons Group or call (225) 769-5656.