Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a specialized treatment for certain types of cancer that affects the abdominal area, such as ovarian, colon, and gastric cancer. The procedure involves delivering heated chemotherapy directly to the abdominal cavity to target cancer cells that have spread within the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity.
The procedure is typically performed after a patient has undergone a debulking surgery, which removes as much of the visible tumor as possible. During HIPEC, a heated chemotherapy solution is circulated throughout the abdominal cavity for a period of 90 minutes to 2 hours. The solution is heated to a temperature of 41-43°C (106-109°F), which is designed to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs and target cancer cells that may have been missed during surgery.
One of the main benefits of HIPEC is that it allows for a higher concentration of chemotherapy drugs to be delivered directly to the tumor site, which can improve the chances of destroying any remaining cancer cells. Additionally, the heat applied during the procedure can also help to increase the permeability of the cancer cells, making them more susceptible to the chemotherapy drugs.
The procedure is considered to be highly specialized and typically performed by a surgical oncologist in conjunction with an anesthesiologist, and intensivist. It is usually done as a day surgery and patients can go home the same day or the following day, with a recovery period of 1-2 weeks.
HIPEC is not suitable for everyone, and doctors will consider several factors such as the type and stage of cancer, overall health and medical history of the patient, before determining whether the procedure is appropriate.
HIPEC is a specialized treatment for certain types of abdominal cancer that involves delivering heated chemotherapy directly to the tumor site. It can be an effective option for patients who have undergone debulking surgery and may have remaining cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. Keystone Perfusion is one of few perfusion contract providers that offers staffing for health systems which provide HIPEC for both adult and pediatric patients. As with any medical procedure, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine if HIPEC is right for you.
How Does HIPEC Work?
Hyperthermic (or Heated) Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a surgical procedure that’s giving new hope to patients with abdominal cancers. Immediately after removing visible tumors through what’s called cytoreductive surgery, our surgeons pump a powerful dose of heated chemotherapy inside a patient’s abdomen.
The 42°Celsius chemo bath circulates throughout the abdominal area, also called the peritoneal cavity, delivering highly concentrated doses of hot chemotherapy. That allows doctors to intensify the drugs’ cancer-fighting abilities while directly targeting cancerous cells. After about 90 minutes of the infusion, the chemo is washed out and incisions are closed.
For patients with early cancers, some surgeons are frequently able to perform HIPEC through smaller incisions using minimally invasive techniques (also known as laparoscopic surgery). This approach is not widely available.
What are the Benefits of HIPEC?
Patients should consider HIPEC because it has:
- Fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy because the cancer-fighting agents don’t circulate throughout the whole body;
- Deeper penetration of the medicine, thanks to high temperatures that cause blood vessels to expand;
- Greater effectiveness at killing cancer cells in the abdomen
Who Is a Candidate for HIPEC?
The best candidates are those who have been diagnosed with:
- Appendix cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (typically occurs in adolescents or young adults)
- Malignant ascites
- Mesothelioma
- Ovarian cancer
- Peritoneal cancer
- Stomach (gastric) cancer
- Other locally advanced cancers in the abdomen.
For some patients, HIPEC will achieve a long-term cure for their abdominal cancers. In other cases, HIPEC allows doctors to treat incurable cancers more like a chronic disease and less like a terminal illness.
Contact Us
Let us provide the HIPEC services that your patients need.
Our unique ability to provide Perfusionist staffing for all types of cases, bolstered by our successful track record in staffing health systems around the country makes us an enviable Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) service partner.