Cytoreductive surgery of cancers involving the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) with HIPEC is a comprehensive surgical treatment for carefully selected patients with malignancies arising from or confined to the peritoneal cavity.
Over the past 25 years, much progress has been achieved. There is now substantial clinical evidence that HIPEC is the preferred treatment for patients with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix and Mesothelioma. Additionally, peritoneal metastases from Gastric Cancer and Colon Cancer can also be successfully treated in a significant number of patients.
Certain patients with ovarian cancer may also benefit from cytoreductive surgery and Hipec, which is emerging as an important treatment option, since ovarian cancer is confined to the peritoneal cavity in a majority of patients.
| Cancers Treated with HIPEC |
| Pseudomyxoma Peritonei |
A build-up of mucus in the peritoneal cavity. The mucus may come from ruptured ovarian cysts, the appendix, or from other abdominal tissues, and mucus-secreting cells may attach to the peritoneal lining and continue to secrete mucus. |
| Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of Appendix |
A type of cancer that begins in cells that line the appendix and produce mucin (the main component of mucus). |
| Mesothelioma |
A benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. |
| Colorectal Carcinoma |
Cancer that develops in the colon (the longest part of the large intestine) and/or the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus). |
| Ovarian Carcinoma |
Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary. Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells). |
| Gastric Carcinoma |
Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called stomach cancer. |
| Low-Grade Sarcoma |
Sarcoma is a cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Low-grade refers to cancerous and precancerous growths with cells that look nearly normal under a microscope and are less likely to grow and spread quickly than cells in high-grade cancerous or precancerous growths. |
Many of the cancers treated with HIPEC are diseases treated by multiple disciplines in medicine and surgery. It is important that patients discuss HIPEC therapy with their oncologists and surgeon who can guide their therapy appropriately. Sometimes a referral to a Surgical Oncologist or Gynecological Oncologist performing HIPEC is helpful and necessary early at the time of diagnosis. These doctors can help define if a patient can benefit from HIPEC and help formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.
