Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC
Peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM) is an advanced peritoneal (abdominal lining) cancer that is difficult to treat. At Memorial Healthcare System, we offer a relatively new option that can slow or cure the disease. It’s an aggressive, two-part treatment called cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
The two-stage treatment takes about 4-10 hours, depending on the amount of cancer in the system. Most patients stay in the hospital for 10–12 days, as our team carefully monitors and manages their recovery.
We offer detailed guidance about recovery at home, and your surgeon is available for any questions or concerns after you leave the hospital.
Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC: How It Works
The treatment combines two procedures performed in one trip to the operating room.
Cytoreductive Surgery
- Cytoreductive surgery is an operation to completely remove all visible cancer.
- An incision is made in the abdominal wall to explore the area, assess the extent of the disease, and determine which organs are affected.
- Using various techniques, as many tumors are removed as possible.
HIPEC
- Pronounced “high-peck” and also known as “hot chemotherapy,” this procedure takes place immediately after cytoreductive surgery.
- A sterile solution containing chemotherapy is injected into the peritoneum and circulates continuously for 90 minutes.
- Fluid is drained from the peritoneal cavity and the surgical incision is closed.
- The goal is to eliminate any remaining microscopic cancer cells that could not be seen during surgery.
Benefits of This Peritoneal Cancer Treatment
Cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC for PSM is a powerful, innovative option that provides many benefits over traditional intravenous chemotherapy, including:.
- Survival potential: Studies have shown that patients who receive HIPEC for PSM can recover from the procedure, return to normal activities and even survive the disease.
- Limited side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy: During HIPEC, the chemotherapy is not injected into the blood. This means patients don’t experience traditional chemo side effects, such as hair loss and nausea.
- Higher, more effective doses: Because the medication does not enter the blood, higher doses can be used. This is more effective against the disease.
- Deeper penetration into cancer cells: Heating the solution helps the chemotherapy kill cancer cells while causing fewer effects on normal cells. Heat enables the chemotherapy to penetrate deeper into the peritoneal surfaces. There, it can kill cancer cells that the surgeon was unable to see.
- Two procedures in one: Cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC involves only one trip to the operating room, instead of multiple treatments over several weeks or months.
Contact Us
To find out if you're eligible for HIPEC to treat PSM, call to schedule an appointment with Omar Llaguna, MD at 954-844-9520.
