HIPEC

Also known as: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, heated chemotherapy

What is HIPEC?

HIPEC is an abdominal cancer treatment that is used after all tumors have been surgically removed from the abdomen. It involves treating the abdomen with heated chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells and potentially prevent the growth of new tumors.

What happens during the treatment?

HIPEC is typically the second step of a two-part medical procedure. The first step is a surgical procedure to remove all visible tumors from the abdomen (cytoreductive surgery). Once this is complete, a catheter is used to deliver a heated chemotherapy solution directly into the abdomen. This cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is a complex medical procedure that can take between 8 and 14 hours to complete. Patients may have a hospital stay of 10 to 12 days after the procedure.

HIPEC differs from HITEC (hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy), which is a similar procedure used to treat cancer that has spread to the thoracic cavity.

Is any special preparation needed? 

Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is a major medical procedure that requires a lengthy hospital stay and recovery process afterward. Patients will receive a thorough evaluation related to their other existing medical conditions, cancer location, surgical history and physical strength to determine if they are candidates for the procedure. You’ll want to speak with your health care provider about any specific steps required to prepare for this procedure.

What are the risk factors? 

Bleeding, infection, blood clot formation, the development of a fistula, or problems consuming enough calories are all potential risks of HIPEC. However, the procedure is generally well-tolerated and produces fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. It has also been shown to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients who choose this treatment method. 

This page was last updated on: April 04, 2022 05:06 PM