Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

This treatment combines surgery and regional chemotherapy, offering an effective option for cancers in the abdomen.

Cancers that have spread in the abdominal cavity — called peritoneal disease — can affect many different tissues and organs. Eligible patients may be treated with this advanced approach, which involves two steps: cytoreductive surgery followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy that delivers heated chemotherapy directly to the abdomen.

Cancers treated with HIPEC

Roswell Park uses HIPEC to treat patients whose cancer has spread to the abdominal cavity such as:

• Appendix cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Other gastrointestinal cancers

What to expect from HIPEC

First, you’ll undergo surgery in which the surgeon aims to remove all visible tumor from any of the tissues and organs in the abdomen, called cytoreductive or debulking surgery. 

Then, to kill any microscopic cancer cells that may remain, a high-dose chemotherapy solution that’s been heated is delivered into the abdominal cavity, bathing all the organs and tissues. Heating the chemotherapy makes the drugs more effective. Your body will be rocked gently back and forth to ensure the anti-cancer drugs reach every surface. 

After about 90 minutes, the solution is drained from your abdomen and the surgeon will close any incisions. Recovery will typically involve a hospital stay.

Benefits of HIPEC

• Offers a potential cure, even for patients with stage 4 cancers
• Much higher doses of the chemotherapy drugs can be used, without the side effects that occur when chemotherapy circulates through the bloodstream
• HIPEC can shorten or eliminate the need for prolonged chemotherapy
• As a one-time treatment, it’s feasible even for patients who live far from Roswell Park.