Colorectal Cancer Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
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Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is one of the most innovative treatments available today for complex abdominal cancers such as advanced colorectal cancer. HIPEC is a heated, sterilized chemotherapy solution which is delivered directly to the abdomen during a surgical procedure. First, surgical oncologists perform surgery to remove visible tumors within the abdomen. Then, using sophisticated technology and tools, the surgical oncologists administer the chemotherapy solution to penetrate and destroy cancer cells that remain in the abdomen after surgery.
HIPEC is a treatment option for people who have advanced surface spread of cancer within the abdomen, without disease involvement outside of the abdomen. It may be particularly helpful for patients with abdominal tumors that have not spread to organs such as the liver or lungs, or to lymph nodes outside of the abdominal cavity.
Advantages of HIPEC Treatment
- The procedure allows for higher doses of chemotherapy than are usually possible with traditional chemotherapy delivery.
- HIPEC treatments concentrate the chemotherapy within the abdomen, thereby minimizing exposure to the rest of the body.
- Heating the chemotherapeutic drug (i.e., hyperthermia) enhances the power of the chemotherapy, improving absorption by tumors and susceptibility of cancer cells to the chemotherapy.
- Because it’s restricted to the abdomen, HIPEC helps reduce some of the side effects of chemotherapy.
Together, the surgery and delivery of the hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment requires six to 12 hours to perform. After a six-week recovery period, HIPEC patients then receive traditional, systemic chemotherapy.
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